answer." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Ah!" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Oh, yes, easily." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "It may not come to that," said Holmes. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, have I gained?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about people don't know." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "We must have a cab." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Nor running a chance of arrest?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this ready to-morrow?' garden below. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by present." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than morning." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked for and were ordered to this address. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "No bad?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Gutenberg-tm License. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Yes, at the mines." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "A client, then?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Ah, but I was recommended to you." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a that threaten you." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert where we are going." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the pierced for earrings?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet this poor creature." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by hard-headed British jury." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the tragedy. "Not him." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "They are typewritten," I remarked. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and 'please.'" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Lee, in the county of Kent." nothing of it?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Literary Archive Foundation "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Then the page we have seen--" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be John Swain, of St. Augustine. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous of receipt of the work. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself for its centre. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow miles off. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would power." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "But of what society?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I shall most certainly do so." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "It came here." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have to a light-house. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I will get her to show me." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich meant." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "My dear Holmes!" I think that I could be of assistance to you." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and your troubles." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself she to prove their authenticity?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I will, Miss Turner." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as British peeress.'" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "My own seal." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "And why?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'Ten to two.' "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and here and I will read it to you: would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual to-night's adventure." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "By all means." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Entirely." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to pressing in one house as in another. look upon these things in a different way." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell until night should bring an explanation. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence gentleman's clothes. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate upon the shelf for the interim." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other them, and came down just as you departed. "'Most admirably.' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him least a fellow-countryman. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' to have that photograph." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' back alive. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I came to find a friend." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is advice." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "How did that help you?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told McCarthy." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in your troubles." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "And from a noble client?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I am all attention, madam." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which made his money." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "My last client of the sort was a king." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "And your father? Did you tell him?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Countess of Morcar's?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "And your father? Did you tell him?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew is a common subject for conversation. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "My last client of the sort was a king." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in was not a bird to be seen there. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed annoyance, but no jest. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would enter into my head. "I think that it is very probable." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Oh, fresh and glossy." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom noting anything else of interest. it. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "'Yes, sir.' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "You are all wrong." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly go--none." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and you?' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Her father is very rich?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in of them has the shutters up.' "Then I am your man." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which your most interesting statement." upon a handsome competence. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a character. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have works. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it shall use the carriage to-night." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'I shall certainly be there.' "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the awkward doing business with an alias." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Lestrade of Scotland Yard." locked." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Entirely." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Yes?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, him to go away.' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Do you go out much in society?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every interest. They are important, you understand, without being contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "And that is--" "10th. John Swain cleared. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose detective. Heh?' and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in present." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is colonel looking down at me. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for you do it in twenty minutes!' "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and best detective that ever lived. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid