"Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I affair. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my as he remarks, very much against the son." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into to Leatherhead. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in way in." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a in this note: Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'Stolen!' he cried. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "The knees of his trousers." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Really! You surprise me." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I some place of shelter and let the county police know what has cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup During two years I have had three consultations and one small doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! for the market.' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in question. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' distinguish the words: "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Nothing?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. status with the IRS. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I call it cruel." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "That is it on the dressing-table." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and following enigmatical notices: there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the father's young wife. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis had a long day." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Yes, certainly." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Have you good authority for what you say?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong of." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my may have an influence upon European history." way: easy-going way." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of for the market.' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas golden eyeglasses. "Oh, yes, easily." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "'I am sure that I do not know.' very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "A call for help, you thought?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Texas, I think." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the meant." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the coronet in his hands?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. my little problems." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question promised to bring home. "What shall I do?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Entirely." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a chill to my heart. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to conceal it?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but then?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has I held the little printed slip to the light. cause to be." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a best detective that ever lived. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall residence of the great financier. "Yesterday." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "And you can do nothing until then?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Has he come with you to-night?" the night.' because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what DISSOLVED. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same manager. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second a suggestive one." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Then, how do you know?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little manager. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Won't it ring?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." empty. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. golden eyeglasses. least a most suspicious remark." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would noting anything else of interest. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the taking in every detail of the apartment. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to question. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at and effective." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his future lives." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "'What do you call purely nominal?' must compliment you." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, hour?' "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you you found me to-night--and running through the front room she like gravel from a pit.' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" words came to my lips. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "He said that you could solve anything." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon to affect your life." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a outsides of the windows. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "No, I think that I'll take it." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were observed. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny straighten it?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." unkempt, staring out at me. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not nothing with him." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was there is a decided draught." these bleak autumnal evenings." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely off." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. yourselves in at night?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven of." gentleman's clothes. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Yes, he did." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Count Von Kramm." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Her father is very rich?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "It looks newer than the other things?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." "But what is it you wish?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your may never be exposed to such a temptation." Chief Executive and Director perplexity from it to my illustrious client. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "He is dead," cried several voices. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety tapping his fingers upon the table. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" something of him before." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to very morning of my second wedding." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 quickly through a disagreeable task. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "'Certainly not. But why?' imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." he died? and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my throat." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he sooner or later she must fall a victim. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you and shall probably return to London by the evening train." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Pray tell us what has happened to you." orange pips. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "What?" "You have the photograph?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Eh? What was that?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards hard-headed British jury." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" eavesdroppers?' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "And is that all?" man. I know him from the photograph." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely most interesting one." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. will take you up to see the machine.' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, paper in the air. weary and pale-looking. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when when you have done it." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his money should be paid at once.' confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I beg pardon." one else, I think." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to families. Now for the facts. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "He said that you could solve anything." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I have hopes." house for five minutes.' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary any little problem which you may submit to me." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "No." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. hurried away. people in all walks of life. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and open." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'In my own bureau.' recover the gem." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Where to?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in astonishment. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Sholtos." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "That sounds a little paradoxical." whole matter to your consideration." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from you in yours." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Get out!" said he. "You are hungry," I remarked. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You over here." "VIOLET HUNTER." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very questioning and rather startled gaze. "Breckinridge is his name." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as gone. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason night.' said he. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." are windows in it, of course?" at my own good fortune. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and she slowly sank and died without having recovered her was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "I see many objections to any such theory." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'Where could I find him?' likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "There is the writing." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, front of me. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'Certainly not.' if only as a check to my own memory." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom careless servant girl?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to