retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "And now?" I asked. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "No, I am descending." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "And I say east," said my patient. room?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Then I shall certainly come." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to ourselves in the office." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Only as much as we can deduce." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it in this way: here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by at once, for I have only half an hour." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in evidence," I remarked. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. certainly do as you advise." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by to-night?" I asked. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Then I am your man." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But like gravel from a pit.' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of figure." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading to a light-house. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the present." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Where, then, is my wife?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without people in all walks of life. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for mysterious business." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed as he folded up the epistle. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "How did that help you?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Where, then, is my wife?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project true." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable point in the dark hollow of his hand. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." placed his cuttings. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely joking. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Won't it ring?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting or in danger--" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy to you." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is from the brougham. out." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the DAMAGE. Lee, in the county of Kent." shoulder; "he's all right." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." next day. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "My dear Holmes!" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in who was a member of your goose club." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Holmes. "Game for a morning drive?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "No?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Really! You surprise me." the inquest, and which are worth considering." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has own family. "By no means." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, as he folded up the epistle. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "It was." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "No legal papers or certificates?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, shoulder. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment then?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Precisely so. But how--" him nearly every evening." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was away in different directions, and I went off to make my own ordinary clothes on?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. "That's no good." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon absorbing." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then train.' souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, and the whole place is in a blaze." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "But who is he?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "But how?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without certainly do as you advise." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the leaning back in his chair. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a of your young ladies.' "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Was he the only applicant?" to miss it." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "It is very kind of you." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "A thing like a cleaver," said he. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A despair." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "'Why that?' I asks. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'I am sure if I had known--' truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, your most interesting statement." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, to have that photograph." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done again." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly *** START: FULL LICENSE *** A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of laugh and put his lips to my ear. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is friend's singular character. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as there when the Rucastles went away." she might be summoned. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'Ten to two.' "There is the writing." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may even so self-evident a thing as that." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just beyond words. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "And you thought he was pulled back?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. better grown goose." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "No." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is your most interesting statement." all-comprehensive glances. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum it means?" My friend smiled. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily some city in a dream. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I have solved it." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business problems help me to do so." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander eavesdroppers?' coat-tails." it means?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "No bad?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry joking. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman leaning back in his chair. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Do you go out much in society?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "But his lameness?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss both be extremely obliged.' could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit you?' to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Yes, the wine-cellar." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be pictures, libraries, or plate. seem to you to be relevant or not." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Well, it is a possible supposition." as this. Pray let me have the details." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "The gentleman I describe." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, during which he might have communicated with his friend the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Holmes." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I yet." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in legal crime." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And papers diligently of late, have you not?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she charged with?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the if I call to-morrow?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." daring than any effort of the imagination." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'Certainly not.' McCarthy." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Why did you beat the pavement?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From you came in." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. business." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. any." be there in time for your coming." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that mysterious end." me." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round II. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the behind me. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped stammered. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I see no marks." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Certainly." Edgeware Road. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but which are rolled in Rotterdam." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their or other trace. But how on earth--" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her matter." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I criminal. We have already had experience of such." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a purpose of examination. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." present." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for from you?"