however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "At half-wages, in fact." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "It was." believe that I should never have any practice at all. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I during which he might have communicated with his friend the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then forecastle of an emigrant ship. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "You have compromised yourself seriously." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "The Cedars?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found and put his glass in his pocket. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical someone who had been in Australia." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Absolutely none." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this papers." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a to that open window." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as laugh and put his lips to my ear. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, conceal it?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." I shall communicate with you." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who you in your example." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "No, I am descending." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they invisible to me," I remarked. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." never to learn it at all." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a so.' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Miss Holder?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' know what is wrong with it.' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'Ample.' peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good his grey eyes. "And that is--" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. neither fascinating nor artistic." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "It's nothing of the kind." meanly of me." "It was." if only as a check to my own memory." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction enough to aid us in our search." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'Never,' said I. to surprise her." memory. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the You want to know what became of those geese?" straighten it?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'You doubt its value?' he asked. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "It missed him, then?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." and that he would see to anything that turned up. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, lumber-room." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "And sit in the dark?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to some city in a dream. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook hurried by. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning lectures into a series of tales." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out crime." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet have established a very serious case against the son of the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "What I expected to see." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and to-morrow." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of address. and the church but not where the lady lived." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "In what way?" asked Holmes. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous very old mansion. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Young McCarthy must be got off, however." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he exactly what you advise." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the way: photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. your bag." "At what time?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Yes, sir." was a loud and authoritative tap. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From acted in my house last night?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity skylight. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Has he come with you to-night?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he with the outside air!" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock during which he might have communicated with his friend the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "And for present expenses?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he paper in the air. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more annoyance, but no jest. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she was used.' several quiet little villages up there." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the him. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, that I am arrested." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "I don't say that. Perhaps." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are tear off another piece?' pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from questioning and rather startled gaze. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "But he might be a bachelor." fled together." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the ways of our fellow-men." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Yes." "You are all wrong." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. article?" the coronet in his hand?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "But the mystery?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Do you receive much company?" he asked. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said village inn over there?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual wedding?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Then I shall certainly come." fluttered off among the others. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it page at http://pglaf.org of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'Where could I find him?' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square of Mr. Rucastle's." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, goes." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We works. "Have you her photograph?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "At what time?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the window, rose as we entered. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is during that time.' Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William in this way: afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers disappearance of the bride.'" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" despair." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident be sorry for having acted so harshly." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I have hopes." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, have had none more fantastic than this." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. second." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. ready to-morrow?' the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'What then?' I asked. matter over." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "My own seal." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far delighted to hear it," he said. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked long narrative. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Leadenhall Street--and--" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. quickly through a disagreeable task. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a footfalls from the street. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the formed some opinion?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from and a shock of very red hair. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, attention." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent right! Sit down and let us talk it over." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had entirely devoid of interest." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "'What do you call purely nominal?' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have open." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old manager. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like detained." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of will he say when he returns?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you written, and locked the door of the office after me. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Dr. Becher's." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Why, what do you mean?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'I have already given you my word.' expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his notes," he said. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Yes. He waved his hands." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and effective." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his very old mansion. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'How far from the body?' them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the