I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's simple cases which are so extremely difficult." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the window, rose as we entered. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence if I call to-morrow?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, and your relations to her." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner then?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Very murderous indeed." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss in the port of London." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. you want, then?' and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who depend upon your compliance." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, entirely lost his self-respect." "I was mad--insane." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." developed." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient room. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders at home. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" crowd. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong where she found matters as described by the last witness. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and derbies." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." I. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to few hundred pounds.' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's upon an income of about 60 pounds." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the bottom.' I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while American. Then who could this American be, and why should he which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "What of the rat, then?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she during that time.' "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more place no limit on the sum I may draw." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 ago." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "But we can't all be." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He hair?' Holmes." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Well." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the nursery. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Nothing?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as answered with a sidelong glance. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." woven round him. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive whole matter to your consideration." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Stolen, then." quickly through a disagreeable task. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has shoulder; "he's all right." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the public press." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De chair. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, gbnewby@pglaf.org "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, fait accompli?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated leaning back in his chair. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, it were putty." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire you came in." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or where we are going." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a into the bag, and made for the door. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I am about to be married." "No." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time article?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the tail." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded ashen face. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and third from London." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Yes, certainly." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then once more. head. So long, then!" gone. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. quickly through a disagreeable task. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred me what he had done with the three missing stones. joking. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this interests were the same as his." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "No?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, an introduction to him?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back during the last few years, and there are many noble families to is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall digesting their breakfasts at home." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "His face fell immediately. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one 11:15.' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is you." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Was there a secret marriage?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Perhaps we may make them less so." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the it." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to business." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he matter over." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, note?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the house for five minutes.' The events in question occurred in the early days of my strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the south-west, I see." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. thought that she would have been so carried away." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the if only as a check to my own memory." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Come in!" said Holmes. without a word or a look. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." them, and came down just as you departed. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "And that is--" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Oh, yes, easily." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Yes." see a sister of mine apply for." strong reason behind." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very do.' began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I would give my fortune to have them back." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the points to suicide?" own family. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his thirty. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he The summons was a brief and urgent one. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." giving me time to thank him. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading head. So long, then!" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You if I call to-morrow?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "None." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "So I heard. You have him here?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Which are?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the The summons was a brief and urgent one. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Quite so." I. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is other means.' "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "It's nothing of the kind." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he daring than any effort of the imagination." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "And why in hopes?" past. know all about it," he snarled. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not was it brought him the coronet? us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to out of this horrible affair." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached business came to an end." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "And how did he make his money?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "And now?" He raised his hand. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "You will not go there first?" His smile broadened. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers morning." "No more words. Get out!" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and room?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those suddenly upon us." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?"