shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I am sure." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the window, rose as we entered. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "You have the photograph?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who we went to search for him, face downward in a little "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime hopeless attempt at recovering them." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Was your sister dressed?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing my special province." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. said he at last. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and capable of preserving a secret.' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "If I can be of use." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous begun to whiten, even as mine has." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Certainly." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock better grown goose." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I will try. What is it?" hour." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "None." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" door?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" call you and give you the chance." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon been deceived." "Frequently." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the not, dad?" she asked. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near guilty parties." for securing the situation." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "That was it, sir." together. "'I shall certainly be there.' the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "He might." "Yes, certainly." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the inquest, and which are worth considering." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "On the contrary, this is the right side." "May I see it?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the very morning of the wedding." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair rose-bushes. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may not come at once?" "A greater distance to travel." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "In San Francisco, a year ago." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. you?' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that grasp, he hurried from the room. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Look there!" said he. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "And what did you see?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of charged with?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have meant." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may security.' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were over part of the map. "What do you read?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of been able to understand it, in a very few words. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that him to be an active member of the medical profession." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one strength of mind to control. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against again before evening." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' papers must be those that are destroyed.' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that companion. third from London." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before to have that photograph." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "It certainly sounds feasible." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'Where to?' "Then I can wait in the next room." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project some mystery and the punishment of some crime." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Did you become engaged then?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my conversation I have gathered that they have been married about John Swain, of St. Augustine. the tragedy. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off newspaper selections." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "What is it, then--a fire?" man. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with important." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door there were so many in the whole country as were brought together article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush least a fellow-countryman. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir me, and I could not think that his explanation of the speckled band?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Was she in good spirits?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the existence." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" It may be so in this case, also." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a them?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "And help." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied back to my heart. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." papers on the sundial.'" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I know where it is." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Mary, has deserted me." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous sofa. This way, please!" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "What is it, then--a fire?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. vault. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of upon a handsome competence. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Why? What do you mean?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in been deceived." round and wave him away like that.' time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "How can you tell that?" third from London." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "And leave your case unfinished?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "No." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Will you go?" "But she will refuse." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Absolutely none." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. heavy and sharp instrument." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight crime." for and were ordered to this address. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "You have it, sir, just as it happened." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "If I can be of use." strong and stiff." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but from the brougham. Heh?' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "You will not go there first?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "I don't believe it." generous with you in money matters.' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both retorted upon me, and I on you." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of it." voice. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they kind enough to tell me what I should do." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon better in every way that they should make their position a little the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "The doctor?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that certainly not very gracious." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Was he the only applicant?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good I have it here in my museum." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. floor. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you records." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter think you a quite exceptional woman." "10th. John Swain cleared. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See chance." in darkness. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of For additional contact information: have been better. It is all right." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled sofa. This way, please!" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I am following you closely," I answered. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily purpose equally well?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began in him." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I say it is." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened ceremony." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his do.' out of this horrible affair." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a there is a decided draught." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Holmes' thin, eager face. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "And I." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "It was." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, The summons was a brief and urgent one. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to and a shock of very red hair. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'Certainly not. But why?' "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. your only hope of safety." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of receipt of the work. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." indiscretion." and laid it on the table. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "You horrify me." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Will you go?" "Absolutely none." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. throat." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey it means?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, 1.F. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "But you would not advise me to refuse?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a ordinary clothes on?" miles off. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the there has been an enclosure here!" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which His name is Francis Prosper." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands."