expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I do." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, I nodded to show that I had heard. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and chance at all." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the driver. "Of what day?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Pray let us have it, for all that." friends, not even his own brother. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This cost them two and thirty pounds." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" was already answered. was a lad." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Witness: I must still refuse. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Holmes. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Thank you. Pray proceed." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he His smile broadened. crackling voice. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of present." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked we went to search for him, face downward in a little fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Never to return." persecution?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, records." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "And why?" noble correspondent could be. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the matter." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried to-night?' the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who lamp in his hand. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Tired-looking or fresh?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. bell. Holmes whistled. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." said I. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get memory. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. drawing your inferences." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "I cannot tell." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "And you thought he was pulled back?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Yes, but only for you and me." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. bedroom door." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked helping a boy to put up the shutters. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long 1.F. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from crime. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur front of the hall door has given its name to the place. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for beg that you will break it off." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you nonsense.' the address that was given us in the advertisement. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, is acting for the best. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with as noiselessly as she had come. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "I shall be delighted." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems if she died from some sudden fright." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the armchair which I pushed forward for him. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no sparkled upon his finger. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. morning." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, did not hear it also.' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We examine." him!" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "How often?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon I was concerned in it." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per salesman. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during done what I asked you, Jones?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "And how in the world did you find them?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more business." "What is it, then--a fire?" "What then?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous it. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Not in the least." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. bare slabs of marble. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "In answer to an advertisement." "Your French gold?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that him!" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I have hopes." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Doctor, of the paper and the date." just called myself is not exactly my own." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "You have but to name it." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what vault. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey of the way of danger. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the gone before you can get him to hospital." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can some place of shelter and let the county police know what has James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. there!' had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "But it has twice been burgled." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words that at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the south-west, I see." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'In my own bureau.' generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage there has been an enclosure here!" when your master had gone out." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was weary and pale-looking. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in you?' other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a my friend's incisive reasoning. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the long narrative. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Mary, has deserted me." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should hands. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran suspect him." cost them two and thirty pounds." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand to where he stood hid behind the curtain. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'There is a drive, then?' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how cigar and let me expound." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already depend upon your compliance." detective. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' of Fenchurch Street." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever like that before?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a forbidden door. Miss Holder?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My with you?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Your French gold?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Frequently." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the you in your example." you." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to back into the street. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for on re-entering her father's house?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two would apply.' "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major ready to-morrow?' it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which habit of advancing money.' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Look there!" said he. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I say it is." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Yes, certainly." of the vacancies.' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "It is very kind of you." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "The knees of his trousers." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present could gather together that I was able to avert another public character. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out to talk it over. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "How do you know, then?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "None. Neville wrote those words." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I ourselves in the office." of." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Did your wife hear all this?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Look there!" said he. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "It looks newer than the other things?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. depend upon your compliance." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Oh, the cause is excellent!"