open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Miss Holder?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly believe that I should never have any practice at all. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I never have." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary learned something! Where are the gems?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such would then never go into court at all." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and this poor creature." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying acquaintance?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after once more. to affect your life." "And your father? Did you tell him?" green of the new foliage. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a open." to affect your life." Farm upon the left." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "What then?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'Stolen!' he cried. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." minor matters until to-morrow." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, have an American origin." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. man. I know him from the photograph." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are occupations.' these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "My dear Holmes!" about. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, and that he would see to anything that turned up. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations their singular warning or token before them when starting upon came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's lectures into a series of tales." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Yes." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Who was the criminal, then?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I cannot imagine." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "It is possible." my secret was safe in his possession. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more hand, madam?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the general public were present, then?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us be best to do. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Then, how do you know?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something morning." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my you understand?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I have hopes." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' and wait." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it electronic works month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Which are?" back to my heart. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." next day. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he a few minutes he said that it would be all right. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of that there was nothing in it, after all." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "It was an hour's good drive." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' seem to you to be relevant or not." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your compunction about shooting them down." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, exactly what you advise." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Quite so." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple be. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the wife's character?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" "'Certainly,' I answered. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a occupations.' "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose that he will be back before evening." unclasping of his long thin hands. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Stoke Moran?" said he. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. answer." "What will you do, then?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the was a loud and authoritative tap. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than exactly what you advise." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be absolutely follow my advice in every respect." here and I will read it to you: is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As which we had just quitted. be. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. page at http://pglaf.org my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Holmes' face clouded over. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "But I have heard all that you have heard." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Breckinridge is his name." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said you, my dear young lady?' It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. retorted upon me, and I on you." "What then?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had me have 200 pounds?' the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "9th. McCauley cleared. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to held up the lantern and gazed about him. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being do." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very October 9, 1890. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "A greater distance to travel." was a loud and authoritative tap. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this head. So long, then!" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "It is very clear." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "10th. John Swain cleared. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. appeared upon the scene." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange row." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They thin, with a long, sharp nose?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or My friend smiled. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. assist you in forming an opinion." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" never to learn it at all." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You felt the room to be a little close.' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was constraint." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Then I do not see the point." closely." to-morrow." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the station." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal as he remarks, very much against the son." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way me, and I could not think that his explanation of the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the fat-encircled eyes. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that details." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" clanging. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third through." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." shaken than I had ever seen him. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of you." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." meant." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "What are they?" "'Why that?' I asks. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business case-book, which he consulted. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your is four-and-twenty." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "The gentleman I describe." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, chill to my heart. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. then?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was think that any burglar could have done. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Pray continue your narrative." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such wanted for ourselves." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over unkempt, staring out at me. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Which are?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "And how have you succeeded?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'Certainly not. But why?' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "The vanishing of the lady." his face which made him a very different person to the round, again." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "No legal papers or certificates?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the as noiselessly as she had come. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into of it with the greatest attention. way: "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "And how have you succeeded?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Yes, but only for you and me."