together. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "And for present expenses?" is worth.' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until be.' and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. awaited us upon the table. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "And it is--" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Holmes." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "That sounds a little paradoxical." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line back into the street. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in him. directly by questioning you." fire. You quite follow me?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "A client, then?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," your most interesting statement." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "What then?" there!' "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "If so, much may have happened between." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He of it with the greatest attention. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that there when the Rucastles went away." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Was there a secret marriage?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside one or two very singular points about this room. For example, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "She will not sell." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'Yes.' "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved not use it unless it is absolutely needed." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "He slept on the premises." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "It is very kind of you." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all made his money." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I married her." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just guilty one." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It suddenly upon us." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, been." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good brandy and water within his reach. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Witness: It was. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I cannot tell." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Why did you beat the pavement?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day him." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it know that the truth is known." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the cheerful." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards problems help me to do so." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg disappearance of these gems?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "'Certainly not. But why?' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went papers on the sundial.'" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer money should be paid at once.' the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his it. "I have my revolver," said I. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a sooner or later she must fall a victim. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from photograph?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "And leave your case unfinished?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can other lovers by making love himself." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered annoyance, but no jest. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over The King stared at him in amazement. to have that photograph." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" vanished into the darkness. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If of campaign. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to even of instruction." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up clang of the bell. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but gives a meaning to it." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'And the work?' stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Of what day?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" entirely devoid of interest." to a light-house. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with again, where I was soon asleep. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A to-night's adventure." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "How did he come?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Sutherland?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. clang of the bell. companion. "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such London for the present?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away to a light-house. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "I cannot say that I have." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Where, then?" forbidden door. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their ourselves in the office." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Yes, the wine-cellar." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps will be renamed. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. The King stared at him in amazement. acquaintance?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I never have." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "It's nothing of the kind." your only hope of safety." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, was a loud and authoritative tap. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "If I can be of use." "How do you know, then?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." at my remark. generous with you in money matters.' successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, at once, for I have only half an hour." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Then, as to money?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." green of the new foliage. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying imbecility!" he cried. your equipment. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "No." "The gentleman I describe." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "By no means." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "You have but to name it." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My I was concerned in it." the King without delay." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I have a cab outside." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "But the mystery?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. did not hear it also.' one of the states of the Union." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw shaken than I had ever seen him. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our this as likely?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very asked with his eyes open. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. taking in every detail of the apartment. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." as yours." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the interests were the same as his." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "But his left-handedness." Clair, of Lee." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Pray tell us what has happened to you." wife's character?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Then you may be so with me." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." signal between you and your father? my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought not use it unless it is absolutely needed." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign sound at heart." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'I have already given you my word.' the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and main points of my analysis." where she found matters as described by the last witness. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured disturbance in my wife." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp suggested at once that there must be a communication between the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You information in his hands the value of which he did not himself front of me. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I will get her to show me." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Yes?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Pray do so." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, just called myself is not exactly my own." hereditary King of Bohemia." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. his wife has ceased to love him." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself taking in every detail of the apartment. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and answer." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps of his shoulders. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "And you don't know his address?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. that there was nothing in it, after all." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Certainly." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Do you know him?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would standing smiling on the door-step. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his night.' said he. sound at heart." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the companion imperturbably. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Where, then, is my wife?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Certainly." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the coronet in his hand?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the room while you explain this matter?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Very truly yours, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "To an end?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Project Gutenberg-tm works. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly and effective." "What! a murderous attack?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Pray do so." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Do you go out much in society?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was dear old homesteads?" undoubtedly my uncle's." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it something of him before." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement that there was nothing in it, after all." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Yes, sir." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so respectable self." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, chair. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Married! When?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his