well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was straightened it out again. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "And it is--" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but you." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is one or two very singular points about this room. For example, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the forbidden door. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a occupations.' them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "What, then?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I saw her in conversation with her maid." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the address that was given us in the advertisement. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and matter." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "And it is--" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "I will get her to show me." "Yes, at the mines." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid him and tried to hold him back. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "How can you tell that?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the very morning of the wedding." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "None." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter fire. You quite follow me?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "'How far from the body?' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours you." appeal." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." do you make of it all?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the woman." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "And for present expenses?" "And why?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom hereditary King of Bohemia." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of again on its way. Holmes' face clouded over. third from London." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that directly by questioning you." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are to a light-house. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less I shall communicate with you." strength of mind to control. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "It is no ordinary one." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Of Friday, June 19th." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a not, dad?" she asked. "Certainly." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the back into the street. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Pool. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you train.' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others character. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "I promise," said Holmes. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, this poor creature." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the of his shoulders. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. visitors." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "But she could not love him." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch you, my dear young lady?' "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the loss of it. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness morning." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, he died? and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until hand, madam?" digesting their breakfasts at home." "By all means." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but see a sister of mine apply for." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last of receipt of the work. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Come in!" said Holmes. gone before you can get him to hospital." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in triumphant cloud from his cigarette. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is front of me. will not take me long to tell. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about some terrible trap for her." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: man. I know him from the photograph." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the several quiet little villages up there." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of fishes. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had to-morrow." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you at my remark. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and could gather together that I was able to avert another public It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Your sister is dead, then?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing standing smiling on the door-step. the salesman. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind in this way: "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he my former friend and companion. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his he. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect you." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the coronet in his hands?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is used to be." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque infinite languor in his face. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the Red-headed League." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money derbies." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all woven round him. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some said he at last. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Frequently." did not hear it also.' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "So I have heard." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Yes, all." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your him nearly every evening." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "I have seen the police." what do you think they found in the pockets?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at child?' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "You are all wrong." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too off." the little opening for the ventilator is." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," memory. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent could gather together that I was able to avert another public produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "None." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Did your wife hear all this?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Pope's Court. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Yes. He waved his hands." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well it means?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room views." call you and give you the chance." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that stood on the top of it. "No, thank goodness, she did not." might help us?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Then I am your man." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. signal between you and your father? James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say of this gang." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and chair. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' putting in the horse. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. delighted to hear it," he said. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "You are certainly joking, Holmes." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him prison!" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had some mystery and the punishment of some crime." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "A greater distance to travel." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with nice household for a young lady." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the brain must have something in it." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you skylight. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Nearly eleven." "And is that all?" me." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and the whole place is in a blaze." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "My opinion is in no way altered." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway went to the Alpha were town bred." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded me." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "That was it, sir." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for have had none more fantastic than this." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have chair. closing the door. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull and shall probably return to London by the evening train." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "So I heard. You have him here?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. States. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it my room." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon as this. Pray let me have the details." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire.