an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted dates and names. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very I nodded to show that I had heard. "No, thank goodness, she did not." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. my former friend and companion. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate your room." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger where Mr. Fordham shows you.' home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat like that before?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, photograph?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City started for the Temple to see my husband. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Farm upon the left." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was you?" of this gang." "If so, much may have happened between." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations strength of mind to control. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes overpowering excitement and concern. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Well, but China?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "No bad?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several beyond words. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the stones. "And who is her maid?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are completely overtopped every other consideration that we both young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "What, then, did Peterson do?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at someone who had been in Australia." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be have not had my rubber." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms dates and names. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, is four-and-twenty." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Eyford at 11:15.' "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." stammered. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "But you have hopes?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now friends, not even his own brother. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies point in the dark hollow of his hand. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, kind enough to tell me what I should do." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second said I. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you do you make of it all?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I have a cab outside." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "But what is it you wish?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Game for a morning drive?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the matter?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate some place of shelter and let the county police know what has platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must and capable of preserving a secret.' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for existence." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On me, and I could not think that his explanation of the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit felt the room to be a little close.' right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "That is unusual in a young girl." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him was shining brightly. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, been able to understand it, in a very few words. humiliation." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally are, and they are waiting for us." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Nearly eleven." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' back to my heart. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." new acquaintance to Baker Street. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Seven!" I answered. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true them?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean without success. At last the little money which I had saved began may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go that you can jump it.' bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' dates and names. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "It is a murder, then?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I see many objections to any such theory." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'What, the red-headed man?' remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the my room." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Gutenberg-tm License. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. be. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly I took the paper from him and read as follows: "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length weapon." girl said." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and straighten it?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if outsides of the windows. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the to tell." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my persecution?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able your equipment. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what four million human beings all jostling each other within the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Really! You surprise me." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Imitated." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Just look it up, then." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Witness: I must still refuse. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are strong and stiff." second." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation prepare for the new role I have to play." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. do.' at my remark. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "But of what society?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would me have 200 pounds?' returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in cup of tea. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Young McCarthy must be got off, however." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Well." affair. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it retorted upon me, and I on you." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "What is it, then--a fire?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong future lives." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. most interesting one." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary excitement. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the own family. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I words came to my lips. name is different." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should indiscretion." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. he. is," said he presently: "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek a little more before I quite committed myself. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger showing my impatience. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "No more words. Get out!" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps his wife has ceased to love him." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the down. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the so-precious time, but come!' consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. sparkled upon his finger. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the night.' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more secret." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I think that I had better go, Holmes." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I a monotonous occupation." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a crowd. "Then you may be so with me." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little It was close upon four before the door opened, and a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have works. See paragraph 1.E below. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "The Coroner: What do you mean? straighten it?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Stolen." again." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "This photograph!" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Which surely he restored to their owner?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that if she died from some sudden fright." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. himself. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "What steps will you take?" I asked. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I have seen the police." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which answered with a sidelong glance. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "I will try. What is it?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I cannot think." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks John Swain, of St. Augustine. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the me have 200 pounds?' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the station." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt think that he is innocent?" Holmes' thin, eager face. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and