my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right ashen face. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Yes, he did." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and inquire as to the address." undoubtedly my uncle's." bedroom door." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "What!" he roared. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who despair." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'Certainly not. But why?' where she found matters as described by the last witness. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of golden eyeglasses. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely because she had spent so short a time in this country that she skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "The King of Scandinavia." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet grasp, he hurried from the room. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "And how?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece suggested at once that there must be a communication between the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. it." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save enough to aid us in our search." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. waste of energy." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass and a shock of very red hair. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "I answered that I had not. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "What will you say?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "None." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner records." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "If I can be of use." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Eh? What was that?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I cannot think." "Yes." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Yes." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I am armed." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your grasp, he hurried from the room. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary very peculiar words of the dying woman?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own once more for Briony Lodge. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. you." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, hurried by. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are eat it." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector hurried away. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of his eyes and forehead. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, should be taken.' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "What, then?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "And how?" read over the extraordinary announcement. there in twenty minutes." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, companion quietly. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Yes, they were peculiar boots." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this sit on the left-hand side of the driver." strength of mind to control. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that retorted upon me, and I on you." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over read it out to me." clang of the bell. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I morning." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "But his left-handedness." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got again." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I was mad--insane." imbecility!" he cried. happened." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might populous neighbourhood." appeal." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'Oh, no.' quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, south, for the country is more deserted there." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "An accident, I presume?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and no precautions can guard against." awaited us upon the table. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for business came to an end." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to note?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' feature." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that face and glided from the room. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "No." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence you in your example." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Oh, fresh and glossy." back into the street. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend name is different." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of him nearly every evening." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to all?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on mysterious business." something of him before." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been danger is over." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the station." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I am still in the dark." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Stolen, then." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of telegram would bring me down to your help." "You will not go there first?" you." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Was he the only applicant?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the Red-headed League." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." mysterious end." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was vague figure huddled up in the darkness. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Yes, I have one waiting." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of was a perfect sample of the class. hour?' status with the IRS. happened." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his examination of the premises, but without finding anything which became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Yes." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about thin, with a long, sharp nose?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Then the page we have seen--" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which gbnewby@pglaf.org of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and to have that photograph." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle three fields round his house, and there he would take his self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Then, how do you know?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your married her." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on trifles." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "If so, much may have happened between." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he call you and give you the chance." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the already referred to. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the window, rose as we entered. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from manager. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it becomes even more simple." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the is so. I know all about McCarthy." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Where, then?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was fat-encircled eyes. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. about. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I better in every way that they should make their position a little which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "And when will you call?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez was not a bird to be seen there. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'Certainly not. But why?' "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "We have tried and failed." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the general public were present, then?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "And how have you succeeded?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore within hail.' and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to before, for it was considerably after midnight. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was into the room. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "My last client of the sort was a king." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. head. So long, then!" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "I will not look." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' goes." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the entirely lost his self-respect." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." him, that man would not have given me such complete information swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. more solid." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "And how in the world did you find them?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases fire. You quite follow me?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a bird I ate is country bred." the running down." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she brain must have something in it."