suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of tell him that I know him to be innocent." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "What do you make of that, Watson?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. your equipment. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I have come for advice." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "And how?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady photograph?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and late!' "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged things are very often connected not with the larger but with the good-night and bustled off upon her way. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not bonnet, and went out." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said people in all walks of life. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Proceed, then." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "'Never.' "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE again." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "'What are you doing there?' he asked. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to families. Now for the facts. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "But how will you look?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Holmes' thin, eager face. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had outsides of the windows. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "You have a clue?" digesting their breakfasts at home." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me have I gained?" kindly on the shoulder. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left he bowed and left the room without another word. I nodded again. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his outside. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "At half-wages, in fact." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. room. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which again before evening." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner opened a pocket-book and took out a note. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, at a side door. seen the man in the road." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "How are you getting on?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our direction." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the signal between you and your father? freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my to take care of herself." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Miss Holder?" in. "But you were on a friendly footing?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do sound at heart." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'Ten to two.' absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I see no marks." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change villagers almost as much as their master. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to London for the present?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and come either from the window or the door. My attention was Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the ashen face. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no these bleak autumnal evenings." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I so far?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you awkward doing business with an alias." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Yes." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the head. So long, then!" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "I don't say that. Perhaps." strength in the others." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his this man was intellectual?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he way in everything. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "None." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "You are all wrong." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "In heaven's name, what for?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "What office?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is with her." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself your co-operation." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, soul! here is her carriage at the door." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Upon what point?" "I should like to see him very much." "Thank you. Pray proceed." could gather together that I was able to avert another public "No." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "You horrify me!" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." congratulate you again." wanted for ourselves." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall there were one or two details which were new to me. But the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Never to return." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Certainly, madam." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where invisible to me," I remarked. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' carriage. It was a chestnut." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "In the cells." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told key of the affair now." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, seven miles from Eyford Station.' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Nothing?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, returned to France?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in dead, shall be safe with us." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "How many? I don't know." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp London for the present?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, do.' your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, standing smiling on the door-step. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's neither fascinating nor artistic." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I have seen the police." "Who by?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. fuss that is made over them." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Did he not advertise?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As yourselves in at night?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything did not hear it also.' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it upon the white wrist. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "But I am all in the dark." rat could hardly pass through." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "That is easily got." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang him and tried to hold him back. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest future lives." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round again before evening." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" events, Mr. Windibank!" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Murdered?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a think that any burglar could have done. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the get the tickets." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I was mad--insane." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because fact, we may call it conclusive." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "No, finished." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'Very good.' to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "By no means." in this note: questioning and rather startled gaze. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a that you wished to speak to me?' "He is dead," cried several voices. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, read over the extraordinary announcement. "When did she vanish, then?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and and glanced through. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. flock.' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "What, then, did Peterson do?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Nor running a chance of arrest?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice was keenly on my guard against him. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "The murder was done with it." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it on in his house." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Where did he live, then?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by forehead. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." DAMAGE. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Yes." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we friend's singular character. became a certainty. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them writers could invent nothing more crude." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much outside." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him