would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety death." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should it. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the really the only notable feature about the thing." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain advice." "None." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite is four-and-twenty." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he dramatic, in fact." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Again Holmes raved in the air. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'You doubt its value?' he asked. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "And the murderer?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Then he might have called to you?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the photograph?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from narrative." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged bears upon the case?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as depend upon your compliance." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the very morning of the wedding." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was morning." knowledge of the world." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Precisely so. But how--" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the little opening for the ventilator is." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass placed his cuttings. Where does the thing come from?' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what mystery may be cleared along those lines." infinite languor in his face. rose-bushes. you." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Very much so." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which discontent upon his features. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like this truth that in these little records of our cases which you really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend 'I should be able to look after that for you.' you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a must be when I saw the door open.' sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret you." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps not as remarkable as your advertisement." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered back to my heart. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms ready to-morrow?' I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "'What do you call purely nominal?' mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite cigars in their mouths. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she stepfather?" "But how will you look?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham companion imperturbably. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'And the work?' "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Street. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of me." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "None." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the his fortune, and I went back to pa. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "What! Had he lost his wife?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name During two years I have had three consultations and one small felt the room to be a little close.' "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "What, then?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the child." shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "My last client of the sort was a king." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it prepare for the new role I have to play." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger residence of the great financier. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "It is a murder, then?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "What of the rat, then?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming that, and I came down." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the himself in a perplexing position. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation to his chemical studies. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Indeed! Whose, then?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" my former friend and companion. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was 1.E.9. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "'Very good.' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for mystery." will not take me long to tell. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, constraint." habit of advancing money.' chair. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and into the bag, and made for the door. "Yes, all." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our door?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." views." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do night.' said he. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the ceiling. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Holmes rather sternly. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "No, I think that I'll take it." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "It missed him, then?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "But how could you guess what the motive was?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A good-night and bustled off upon her way. his forehead." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I were new raised from a basin. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the matter." to-night?" I asked. his huge brown hands. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I do." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Young McCarthy must be got off, however." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "It was an hour's good drive." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the loss of it. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Which are?" "Yes, at the mines." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, over here." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "But you would not advise me to refuse?" business in the City. She little knew what. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest not as remarkable as your advertisement." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to might have a private word with us. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I am following you closely," I answered. posted to-day." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe 1.F. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise carriage. It was a chestnut." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, about. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the tragedy. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Yes?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "And I to find an enemy." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some to arrive at through this?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It be there in time for your coming." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. hardly wander." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly had picked up in the wood. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the that, and I came down." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'Yes.' question," said Holmes, smiling. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a it were putty." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the room while you explain this matter?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a to a more successful conclusion." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently we went to search for him, face downward in a little http://www.gutenberg.net the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to it." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this points to suicide?" indeed happy." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events all?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "But what is it you wish?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, that I am arrested." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that written, and locked the door of the office after me. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to chemical work which was so dear to him. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though hardly wander." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Texas, I think." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed room?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his criminal. We have already had experience of such." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with way in everything. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were certainly not very gracious." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "A thing like a cleaver," said he. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so certainly not very gracious." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "On your arm?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, to a more successful conclusion." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it your equipment. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "But she will refuse." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "My dear Holmes!" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin bill, which interests me deeply." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the he died? the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to long narrative. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been shoulder. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "There are none." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "A call for help, you thought?"