and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "I don't believe it." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the think that any burglar could have done. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "No legal papers or certificates?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, all-comprehensive glances. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was and your relations to her." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Holmes' room. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would my former friend and companion. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which coat-tails." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "By all means." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were case before our client came into the room." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it three of the beryls in it, was missing. you." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then straighten it?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Nothing." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he that?' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'I am sure if I had known--' you in your example." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Holmes. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each walking." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it spare." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll anything to do with the matter?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "A confidential servant?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Yes, from Horsham." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Well." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right this truth that in these little records of our cases which you better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'What would be the hours?' I asked. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "The vanishing of the lady." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." golden eyeglasses. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped just ask you whether you had heard it.' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and neither fascinating nor artistic." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid my former friend and companion. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to cigar and let me expound." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy bore every mark of being an average commonplace British carriage. It was a chestnut." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny that he will be back before evening." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I cannot say that I have." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that which are rolled in Rotterdam." was a loud and authoritative tap. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler his eyes and forehead. secret." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "My Mary? Impossible!" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, these bleak autumnal evenings." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the Friday. Was it to be in church?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "A greater distance to travel." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "On Monday." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after not as remarkable as your advertisement." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another our word." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his with you alone." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Why, it's a dummy," said he. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself went to the Alpha were town bred." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir was the fact that his father should, according to his account, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of death." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'Where to?' happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I delirious. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. congratulate you again." "At what time?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of that he will be back before evening." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a status with the IRS. chair. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; sufficient punishment." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Very much so." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I cannot imagine." "Where to?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, and looked back. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Perhaps I have." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful and your relations to her." into the bag, and made for the door. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you beyond words. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the over here." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the case before our client came into the room." never came back." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Gutenberg-tm License. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Holmes rather sternly. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried matter over." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "To an end?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "She told me to ask you." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do you." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed answered with a sidelong glance. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "He slept on the premises." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried unprofitable." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "It is no ordinary one." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to are, and they are waiting for us." "What will you do, then?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Well, some hundreds of times." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of events, Mr. Windibank!" generous with you in money matters.' have got?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my ourselves in the office." "Well?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I it." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing bird I ate is country bred." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were get her out of the way." when you have done it." "Entirely." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "I will get her to show me." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Yes, sir." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Was he the only applicant?" it means?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some not interfere, come what may. You understand?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the Assizes." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB burst out into a roar of laughter. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She useful material for showing traces. The double line a little glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no me have 200 pounds?' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile were wasted." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "But your client--" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "And what then?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the inner apartment." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was do.' grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "It is his hat." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Yes, from Horsham." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, noble correspondent could be. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "You will not go there first?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "How often?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Has he come with you to-night?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and hopeless attempt at recovering them." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the nonsense.' Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the house with me." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." recover the gem." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really promised to bring home. "None. Neville wrote those words." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is come either from the window or the door. My attention was useful material for showing traces. The double line a little like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by carriage. It was a chestnut." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case bonnet, and went out." fishes. without a word or a look. maiden herself was most instructive." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I depend upon my doing so.' later, upon the night of May 2nd." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'I have heard so.' "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000