Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. chance at all." "Ha! you find it so?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you distinguish the words: find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat do." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "In heaven's name, what for?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was prove to be little relation between the different incidents of The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater crowd. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Not particularly." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. then?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "That sounds a little paradoxical." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "It is true that I have been generally successful." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles green of the new foliage. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting will be renamed. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time photograph a cabinet?" "No sign of it?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, that you wished to speak to me?' halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, window when the police appeared." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Texas, I think." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Which are?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin sit on the left-hand side of the driver." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect cigars in their mouths. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of own family. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really bachelor.' business came to an end." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and man. I know him from the photograph." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Pool. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Where to?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely this man was intellectual?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated DAMAGE. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and paper in the air. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When one's self under obligations.' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "And how did he make his money?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Where did he live, then?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit just ask you whether you had heard it.' As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and tapping his fingers upon the table. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had it with his own hands." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "My opinion is in no way altered." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while John Swain, of St. Augustine. existence." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to fled together." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Young McCarthy must be got off, however." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from a little more before I quite committed myself. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always better grown goose." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at breakfast?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy disturbance in my wife." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Certainly." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the stones. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare carried out of court." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "When did she vanish, then?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous to that open window." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "I will not look." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Foundation freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "How do you know, then?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this window when the police appeared." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen asked. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him province." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He have been better. It is all right." "What! a murderous attack?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. you understand?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Will you go?" Clair, of Lee." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, obstinate." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of in your London, you will know that the office of the company is that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'Ample.' my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding furiously. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "The Coroner: What do you mean? young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I skylight. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, certainly do as you advise." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "'No, I know no one in these parts.' exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that made his money." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It is possible." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "You know me, then?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "You horrify me!" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I have seen the police." woven round him. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert depend upon your compliance." quite distinctive." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and depend upon your compliance." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "9th. McCauley cleared. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." advice." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "'I am sure if I had known--' "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four What do you deduce from it?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and a shock of very red hair. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. occupations.' Project Gutenberg-tm works. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman of Fenchurch Street." 1.F. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a whatever might befall. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "The landlord of the Alpha." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Not particularly." minor matters until to-morrow." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. if she died from some sudden fright." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I would give my fortune to have them back." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "You know me, then?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Was the window open?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more knowledge of the world." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who yourselves in at night?" outside." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "How do you know, then?" room. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, companion. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that unkempt, staring out at me. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB matters immensely." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager narrative." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us second window is the one that I jumped from." she used." you in yours." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of burst out into a roar of laughter. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, photograph a cabinet?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "What office?" "How many? I don't know." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to not as remarkable as your advertisement." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit said I. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. sooner or later she must fall a victim. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "It is half-past ten now." "No bad?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this horse could go." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Come in!" said Holmes. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "You were travelling in the States?" other means.' "What then?" down. corner of the building. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you questioning and rather startled gaze. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I don't believe it." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "And when will you call?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head suspect him." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the warnings." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has here." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and mystery!" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "None. Neville wrote those words." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only never will be, entirely cleared up. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Yesterday." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be indeed happy." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull of it with the greatest attention. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business tied." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain breakfast?" one of the states of the Union." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary photograph a cabinet?" "I shall most certainly do so." me. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had