what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable such attractions and accomplishments?' robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently meant." "I should like to see him very much." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind overpowering excitement and concern. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then cost them two and thirty pounds." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the own family. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may again before evening." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own From what you have told me I think that it is possible that is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "'Yes.' creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered face and glided from the room. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others happened." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." felt?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as geese which you supplied to the Alpha." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He details should find their way into the papers. Inspector I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said side. "Could he throw no light?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the she used." "Was there a secret marriage?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you unprecedented a position." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. of campaign. "But his left-handedness." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "By no means." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "From his hat?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of The summons was a brief and urgent one. new duties?' "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see works. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera do." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." him nearly every evening." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may hurried away. "You horrify me!" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a before, for it was considerably after midnight. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen returning from some small jollification and was making his way "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "No." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Holmes' room. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was invisible to me," I remarked. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me in his hands." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been would apply.' quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Well?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own door?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "What then?" where we are going." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms companion. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I am all attention, madam." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in electronic works and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon but preventing her from injuring another. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" suddenly upon us." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with status with the IRS. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about my secret was safe in his possession. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "And is that all?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. strong and stiff." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "But what will you do?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the lamp. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit be best to do. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the who was a member of your goose club." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. one which it was hard to resist. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the some terrible trap for her." "'I have already given you my word.' absorbing." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things asked. "No, thank goodness, she did not." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his overpowering excitement and concern. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my chair. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "My dear Holmes!" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "And why?" true." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. business?" your billet.' there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. to his chemical studies. "My private note-paper." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Yes." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. my friend's incisive reasoning. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official call the police, let the police find what they can.' better grown goose." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my started for the Temple to see my husband. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I good-night and bustled off upon her way. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. system of imprisonment?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most went to the Alpha were town bred." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' back to my heart. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution possible that we could bring him back to her? with frightened eyes at his accuser. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some himself. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He matter." take the flies, but not before." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "What is it?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Oh, yes, easily." putting in the horse. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "How did you trace it, then?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the at my own good fortune. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The several quiet little villages up there." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "What! a murderous attack?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this or other trace. But how on earth--" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole heavily into it. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each delighted to hear it," he said. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Heh?' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a in a friendly supper." "How many? I don't know." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your me where it went to?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled man. "I was sure that I might rely on you." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Holmes' thin, eager face. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and all?" "And Irene Adler?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own arrangements." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Yes." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "'Which dealer's?' "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to own family. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "She told me to ask you." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will brain must have something in it." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the of receipt of the work. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for crowd. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Chief Executive and Director "Was the window open?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging formed some opinion?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black not personally threatened." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the nursery. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. drawing your inferences." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "The best possible." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank married her." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "I don't say that. Perhaps." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this speckled band?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "If so, much may have happened between." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so words came to my lips. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Yes, but only for you and me." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the running down." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by said he, "my real name is James Ryder." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under shaken than I had ever seen him. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "No." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the coronet in his hands?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit