dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "No legal papers or certificates?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed must compliment you." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife time." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "I was certainly surprised to find you there." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible sake, don't!" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set it. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Where does the thing come from?' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed you?' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "It is half-past ten now." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary nothing of it?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the writing, and yet I know it well." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "To the police?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this me. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead system of imprisonment?" "'I am sure if I had known--' "No, distinctly professional." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her row." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed article?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "How about poison?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our gbnewby@pglaf.org The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, awkward doing business with an alias." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able bill, which interests me deeply." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would with frightened eyes at his accuser. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' south, for the country is more deserted there." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. sufficient punishment." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "The decline of his fortunes, then?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "What shall I do?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have chamber." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." During two years I have had three consultations and one small might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's such person." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards more solid." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "But she will refuse." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Yes." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out chance." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon me. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the wife's character?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Then, as to money?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "At half-wages, in fact." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "No, but the enclosure is." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "And it is--" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "No." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't here." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Then I do not see the point." how narrow had been my escape. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of showing my impatience. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you fait accompli?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an colonel looking down at me. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce which was all perfectly true. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a this truth that in these little records of our cases which you manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's asked. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than go from here to the Strand." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Miss Holder?" to tackle the facts." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily train.' tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that with her." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for both be extremely obliged.' solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Yes?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Pray let us have it, for all that." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You placed his cuttings. of this gang." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I think it very unlikely." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about you for a few hours?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "They are typewritten," I remarked. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain crime." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the weary and pale-looking. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was locked. "'Yes, sir.' "It goes to the housekeeper's room." a room. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily what I may call a really hard day's work." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the you." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which entirely devoid of interest." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest comes from the middle window." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Never." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord ordinary clothes on?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. here." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate nice household for a young lady." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his little trying to do so much typewriting?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Look there!" said he. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I business in the City. She little knew what. "Precisely so. But how--" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in off." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and it." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon bird I ate is country bred." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried in one or two places in England?' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' here." to-night?" I asked. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid which was all perfectly true. which it had come upon my father." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the breakfast." "I should wish to." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Then, how do you know?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the more terrible than the truth. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in off." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Then, how do you know?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and over with notes and figures. the bottom.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." is so. I know all about McCarthy." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "I shall be delighted." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman sound at heart." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'Yes, it was gone.' Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and question," said Holmes, smiling. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah away in different directions, and I went off to make my own and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which should be taken.' the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was during that time.' I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet not within a twentieth part of the market price." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Not social, then?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, and the whole place is in a blaze." placed his cuttings. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than you want, then?' destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and wedding?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it and a shock of very red hair. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "But who is he?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "But I am all in the dark." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an sake, don't!" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Deserted you?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the very morning of the wedding." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Perhaps I have." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, easy-going way." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing chance." "No, finished." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could prisoner's face. attention." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." dates and names. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'What then?' I asked. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Munro.' "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "'Yes, it was gone.' disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I was afraid that you were engaged." keep the flames under. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "'Yes, sir.' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'What then?' I asked. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." strength in the others." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "A client, then?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "So it appears." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of closely." "It is very kind of you." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' orange pips. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Surrey." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We hereditary King of Bohemia." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "You don't mind breaking the law?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face you." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "But she could not love him." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of