"If I can be of use." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not himself in a perplexing position. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes confronted him. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and key of the affair now." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my business matters.' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action in my life." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, his eyes and forehead. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey charged with?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. gone before you can get him to hospital." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn hardly wander." Have you good authority for what you say?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather James Windibank. Voilà tout!" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of your own bird, so if you wish--" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now frequently gained my first real insight into the character of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique is," said he presently: to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "She will not sell." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. entirely lost his self-respect." over here." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "In which, sir?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman distance from the station, and there we found the young lady were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Holmes. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue carried out of court." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" stammered. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "You have carte blanche." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a business." is now desirous of getting those letters back." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham it." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. not come at once?" "Pray do so." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the floor. "So I am. Very much so." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of you for a few hours?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "And what then?" province." meant." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "No bad?" "'I have already given you my word.' to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has absorbing." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! she slowly sank and died without having recovered her drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the undoubtedly my uncle's." "On the contrary, this is the right side." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the coronet in his hands?" Edgeware Road. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that strange features which were associated with the two crimes which met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be made his money." new acquaintance to Baker Street. companion imperturbably. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a had died away into the silence from which it rose. ourselves in the office." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "ARAT," I read. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to round and wave him away like that.' "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, if I call to-morrow?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it directors have had misgivings upon the subject." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was and it need not interfere very much with one's other upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. wanted for ourselves." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to in the dead of the night?' baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, and have this put in the evening papers." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I shoulder; "he's all right." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in enough to aid us in our search." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "What shall I do?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at wall." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences London for the present?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the Red-headed League." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some most interesting one." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her this poor creature." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed waste of energy." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want I shall continue with my miserable story. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already experiences." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck must be when I saw the door open.' chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight returning from some small jollification and was making his way unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' client, rising. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the father's young wife. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the warnings." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," think you a quite exceptional woman." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were presented more singular features than that which was associated villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up way in." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling that you saw all that I did." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly gentleman's clothes. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the with you?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Eyford at 11:15.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "And the murderer?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I situation." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have any little problem which you may submit to me." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It few hundred pounds.' He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the night.' "My private note-paper." "You have carte blanche." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be been." "Very truly yours, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Holmes' thin, eager face. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, both be extremely obliged.' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the an introduction to him?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "And the murderer?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The of Mr. Rucastle's." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they in a very precise fashion." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search make me his representative both with the servants and with the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his companion imperturbably. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress coroner's jury." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all be best to do. the driver. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' telegram would bring me down to your help." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "He said that you could solve anything." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the one's self under obligations.' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the Assizes." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another walking." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Leadenhall Street--and--" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those your sleep?' house for five minutes.' how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Yes." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he words came to my lips. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand felt the room to be a little close.' is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was confronted him. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past ashen face. tell them apart.' you, my dear young lady?' are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "But we can't all be." "You are all wrong." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of discontent upon his features. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, McCarthy." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning assist you in forming an opinion." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the date of his supposed suicide." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford and wait." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "VIOLET HUNTER." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "The gentleman I describe." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror himself in a perplexing position. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' wife's character?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' I think that I could be of assistance to you." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his placed his cuttings. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in gone. upon an income of about 60 pounds." the south-west, I see." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my and all of them with the keenest interest. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Dr. Becher's." fled together." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "He disappeared so suddenly." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It detective. his grey eyes. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save highly," said Holmes. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which