the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through of." awaited us upon the table. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet beyond words. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "To an end?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had been able to understand it, in a very few words. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very at once, for I have only half an hour." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no anything to do with the matter?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon electronic works "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a mystery may be cleared along those lines." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. arrangements." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his such person." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "'A dozen yards or so.' backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "And your mother is alive?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss dates and names. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Imitated." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, this man was intellectual?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Her father is very rich?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous nonsense.' like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Then I can wait in the next room." get the tickets." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'I am sure that I do not know.' small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other new duties?' Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "And help." easy-going way." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Yesterday." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six fuss that is made over them." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless dates and names. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "I think that it is very probable." redistribution. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Was there a secret marriage?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the leave you to your papers for a little." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Can I be of assistance?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, long narrative. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, fasten all the windows?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "I will not look." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "It is very kind of you." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall whereabouts. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, is acting for the best. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. there when the Rucastles went away." rose-bushes. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." any." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "That is not always so easy." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. morning." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated silent! Oh, he will be silent!' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, good for you to do.' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its it were putty." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the driver. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp and that he would see to anything that turned up. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "And how did he make his money?" "I will, Miss Turner." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend before, for it was considerably after midnight. help us in this matter." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Have you it here?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't written, and locked the door of the office after me. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "And it is--" goes." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went to change my dress. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that he bowed and left the room without another word. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be But Holmes shook his head gravely. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the inquest, and which are worth considering." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Come in!" said Holmes. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "And who is her maid?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Foundation cost them two and thirty pounds." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Really! You surprise me." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is redistribution. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in whatever might befall. to-morrow." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their footfalls from the street. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "You did not overhear what they said?" "No." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Where to?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'Yes, sir.' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few to that open window." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed particular state visit http://pglaf.org blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the loss of it. "Game for a morning drive?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "What! Had he lost his wife?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. affection." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this here." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I came to find a friend." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go I shall continue with my miserable story. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "So I heard. You have him here?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not without a word or a look. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to I took the paper from him and read as follows: which we had just quitted. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was evidence," I remarked. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the easy-going way." "I guessed as much." words came to my lips. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'Oh, no.' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since all-comprehensive glances. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and prisoner's face. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name that the gas is not laid on in his house?" that he has suffered." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys there were so many in the whole country as were brought together mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. I think that I could be of assistance to you." companion. do.' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Was there a secret marriage?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from lids now and glanced across at his visitor. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "I am to be neutral?" "How did you deduce the select?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "I beg pardon." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt train from Paddington which would bring you there at about and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done have had none more fantastic than this." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I see no marks." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'I shall certainly be there.' the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "By no means." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently some water from a caraffe. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "When did it break out?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. constraint." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or is now desirous of getting those letters back." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. thirty. "Perfectly so." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Street. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "What, then?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" interests were the same as his." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without very old mansion. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this felt the room to be a little close.' "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "And how have you succeeded?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the flock.' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "That is not always so easy." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, occurred." and it need not interfere very much with one's other gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the make me his representative both with the servants and with the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Yes." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come absolutely follow my advice in every respect." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB experiences." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black eat it." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "And now?" I asked. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask may have an influence upon European history." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "'Certainly,' I answered. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "It is solved." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who was not a bird to be seen there. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King together. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. touch that coronet?' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be standing smiling on the door-step. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those power." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, during that time.' "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of that I am arrested." like that before?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make retorted upon me, and I on you." as this. Pray let me have the details." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought tension within him. "'And what salary do you ask?' "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a head. So long, then!"