address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the house with me." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I beg pardon." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I am armed." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we towards the blaze. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "How many? I don't know." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your young Openshaw's." "And how did he make his money?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have to tell." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some bird of prey. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Well?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "You know me, then?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the was lame." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and helping a boy to put up the shutters. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, round and wave him away like that.' man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "You saw the ventilator, too?" matter." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "And I to find an enemy." breakfast." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "And when will you call?" remarked. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." minor matters until to-morrow." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." at once, for I have only half an hour." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." shoulder; "he's all right." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Where to?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." it right.' characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Then I can wait in the next room." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could conversation I have gathered that they have been married about quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the coronet at all injured?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. was shining brightly. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "An enemy?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Yes, certainly." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Which are?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, girl said." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to made his money." "ARAT," I read. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained questioning and rather startled gaze. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were orange pips. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Well?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "No bad?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping works. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Your sister is dead, then?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "But how will you look?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced o'clock is it?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain easy-going way." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in just ask you whether you had heard it.' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "What can you not understand?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Will you go?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "But she could not love him." "Yes." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Gutenberg-tm License. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know was keenly on my guard against him. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Your French gold?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "And now?" I asked. "'In my own bureau.' in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "An accident, I presume?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Who by?" "And why?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty shall not find me ungrateful." she to prove their authenticity?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little prove to be little relation between the different incidents of summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round to talk it over. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "How on earth--" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his very old mansion. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'Yes, sir.' creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project dates and names. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such strength of mind to control. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "And how did you find out?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "If so, much may have happened between." my room." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "VIOLET HUNTER." "Entirely." in him." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Was your sister dressed?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative that you saw all that I did." seem to you to be relevant or not." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. morning." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "No, distinctly professional." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was easy-going way." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away forebodings. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a said I. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his License. You must require such a user to return or any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." come either from the window or the door. My attention was I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Dr. Gregory B. Newby but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." of campaign. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of relief. fatally injured? him and tried to hold him back. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most soul! here is her carriage at the door." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and never to learn it at all." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little in a very precise fashion." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Yes." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something woven round him. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "At the wedding breakfast." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" call it cruel." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which telegram would bring me down to your help." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Nothing?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny feature." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was behind me. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Where did you address your letters, then?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "On Monday." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Witness: It was. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on felt the room to be a little close.' "Not yet." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in forbidden door. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Yes." "What then?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the this unhappy family?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Serpentine Avenue. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I newspaper selections." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "It is true that I have been generally successful." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "What then?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into interest. They are important, you understand, without being Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "No, I think that I'll take it." friends, not even his own brother. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than to-night's adventure." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and straightened it out again. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "But who is he?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "It must be recovered." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, best detective that ever lived. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily been shamefully used." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "And sit in the dark?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Then, how do you know?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I heavy and sharp instrument." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand guilty one." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain This is what he says: the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of British peeress.'" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "You have the photograph?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The shaken than I had ever seen him. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and was shining brightly. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing words came to my lips. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such as noiselessly as she had come. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into must compliment you." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'Yes, sir.' doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." I think that I could be of assistance to you." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is this as likely?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed