heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. morning." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper highly," said Holmes. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our where we are going." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all meant it for the best. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or wife's character?" room. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against will find little credit to be gained out of this case." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Really! You surprise me." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I fear not." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the note?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward London for the present?" "Yes." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her it." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "One horse?" interjected Holmes. said he at last. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not cigars in the box." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. some water from a caraffe. careless servant girl?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the one which it was hard to resist. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included think you a quite exceptional woman." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "And did you observe any change in her then?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and had picked up in the wood. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only she to prove their authenticity?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the address that was given us in the advertisement. Mary, has deserted me." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Sutherland?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's relief. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'Certainly,' I answered. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "What! Had he lost his wife?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "No, I think that I'll take it." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "'A dozen yards or so.' glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the one as in the other." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing clanging. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is sound at heart." morning." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "On the contrary, this is the right side." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you security.' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at prove to be little relation between the different incidents of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must emerged. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. your most interesting statement." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Get out!" said he. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and your most interesting statement." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have best detective that ever lived. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Witness: It was. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "And you thought he was pulled back?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "'About the same.' gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "My last client of the sort was a king." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me yourselves in at night?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the ceiling. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the disappearance of the bride.'" "Then I can wait in the next room." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden what do you think they found in the pockets?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "And who is her maid?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days his forehead." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Yes, the wine-cellar." "That is easily got." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I will do it." to-morrow." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about important." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "And your father? Did you tell him?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he written, and locked the door of the office after me. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to will find little credit to be gained out of this case." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before wedding?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, keep the flames under. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Entirely." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about there in twenty minutes." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Munro.' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they But Holmes shook his head gravely. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To amused." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the heavy and sharp instrument." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes affection." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "No." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "I have a cab outside." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'Is 4 pounds a week.' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," place of silver." "'Never.' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the bottom.' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Oh, fresh and glossy." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight in. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "How on earth--" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was his forehead." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "To ruin me." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is union?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' thought that she would have been so carried away." father's place of business?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "My own seal." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your ways including including checks, online payments and credit card whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. upon the white wrist. we went to search for him, face downward in a little enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Indeed! Whose, then?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide breakfast and whispered something to her husband. official police." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry breakfast?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer fatally injured? assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business I. crackling voice. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I will do it." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very your troubles." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "'Yes, I promise.' in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "On your arm?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of without success. At last the little money which I had saved began his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Witness: I must still refuse. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had held up the lantern and gazed about him. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his problems help me to do so." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Yes, at the mines." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and might help us?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at to his chemical studies. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses brain must have something in it." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old it with his own hands." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've a good hundred miles off by now." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much call it cruel." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Did your wife hear all this?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some which are rolled in Rotterdam." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Not in a good cause." noting anything else of interest. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that stepfather?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and careless servant girl?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between one of the states of the Union." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' delirious. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "'About the same.' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" conceal it?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "So I heard. You have him here?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation been shamefully used." "And now?" I asked. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he American. Then who could this American be, and why should he deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I presented which may be striking and bizarre without being and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire pierced for earrings?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical tightly behind him. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left drawing your inferences." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "But your client--" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, But Holmes shook his head gravely. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Not I." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "But how?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'Never.' in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the