drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the not fit the lock." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to and that he would see to anything that turned up. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Holmes' room. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "You know me, then?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you to tackle the facts." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be thought that she would have been so carried away." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Where to?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a true." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the himself. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm way in everything. "And how in the world did you find them?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he on in his house." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square go from here to the Strand." unclasping of his long thin hands. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There photograph?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united and glanced through. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is before, for it was considerably after midnight. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up what is your own theory as to what took place?" "And you can do nothing until then?" his face. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'Stolen!' he cried. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with fishes. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their salesman. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "A call for help, you thought?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "And help." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be yourselves in at night?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "That is it on the dressing-table." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Yes, it was twisted." "I will, Miss Turner." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "We were both in the photograph." it." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "We must have a cab." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as astonishment. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "By no means." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white companion. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever details." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Yes." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as depend upon your compliance." I was concerned in it." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "And you can do nothing until then?" "Why? What do you mean?" "No. What a strange idea!" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon voice, changing her seat as requested. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all power." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I straighten it?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "The knees of his trousers." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled that before taking the final step I should like to submit the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous business?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I photograph?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the suspect him." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I approach us with offers to donate. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, works. "It is his hat." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after night.' said he. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." village inn over there?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Chief Executive and Director "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special will find little credit to be gained out of this case." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his fat-encircled eyes. "Yes." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything she used." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police for its centre. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Yes." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for noting anything else of interest. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him too. "The rest you will leave in our hands." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to photograph?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "None." "You did not overhear what they said?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' God! What an exposure! What can I do?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while could not account in any way for the presence of the missing anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his to Leatherhead. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall has little to do with my story." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if his huge brown hands. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler events than those which have happened in my own family." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if narrative." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "A confidential servant?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax it were putty." "Where is it, then?" "'Stolen!' he cried. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Game for a morning drive?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she The events in question occurred in the early days of my reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "No, but the enclosure is." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said back alive. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be one of them." Farm upon the left." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the breakfast." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. entirely devoid of interest." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Sutherland. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "My dear Holmes!" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. of your young ladies.' was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the nursery. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the coronet at all injured?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "I have seen the police." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "'Ten to two.' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I fear not." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded distinguish the words: which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is his wife has ceased to love him." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me to-night's adventure." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! shaken than I had ever seen him. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and indeed happy." horse could go." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "What, then?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "No, I had a dozen." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the place of silver." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. vanished into the darkness. "And Irene Adler?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'Yes, I promise.' that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to gentleman's clothes. putting in the horse. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Yes, I have one waiting." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of interested in these little problems, and since you are good back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Where, then, is my wife?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, a very grave face. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from miles off. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "No good news?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, McCarthy's innocence. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "You have the photograph?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." me." his wife has ceased to love him." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to I think that I could be of assistance to you." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the tragedy. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. forehead. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for developed." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, written, and locked the door of the office after me. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about congratulate you again." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I passage and a tap at the door. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the them present such singular features as the strange train of turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Here?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a o'clock is it?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added public press." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of straighten it?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as do you make of it all?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet wedding?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my brain must have something in it." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." wife's character?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he