the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to out of this horrible affair." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the very letters. But what is this written above them?' 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Entirely." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Nearly eleven." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe said he, "my real name is James Ryder." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would sufficient punishment." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly hurried away. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Of Friday, June 19th." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Yes, the wine-cellar." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Eh? What was that?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw himself to tell his story. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "And on what day did he meet his death?" shaken than I had ever seen him. whole matter to your consideration." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the his eyes and forehead. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Thank you. And your address?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a drove away. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." friend's singular character. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Who by?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." himself. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the side-table." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her I think that I could be of assistance to you." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "The landlord of the Alpha." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Holmes' face clouded over. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right I nodded to show that I had heard. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Yes." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not you?' street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Very truly yours, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the stones. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. you?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence a suggestive one." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "'And what salary do you ask?' appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "That is it on the dressing-table." "In answer to an advertisement." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, his face which made him a very different person to the round, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that have accepted such a situation. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging at a side door. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such his wife has ceased to love him." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable allusion to a rat. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "'Yes.' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "What?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Stolen." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than round with crates and massive boxes. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the I nodded again. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "What are they?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers papers diligently of late, have you not?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "But his left-handedness." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, tightly behind him. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler crime." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I have come for advice." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his certainly not very gracious." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly foot. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between in his power. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "No." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. even of instruction." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the matter?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly assist you in forming an opinion." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of there!' common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the presume?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Does that suggest anything?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the be best to do. man. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to closing the door. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step you for a few hours?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City right! Sit down and let us talk it over." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set burst out into a roar of laughter. shaken than I had ever seen him. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Then you may entirely rely on me." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is bled considerably." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a mysterious business." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." papers on the sundial.'" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been despair." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," deduce something from that?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "What steps will you take?" I asked. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Where is it, then?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "On your arm?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "It is to him that this trophy belongs." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they walking." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Miss Holder?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now grasp, he hurried from the room. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I cannot imagine." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. next day. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Nothing?" himself. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than helping a boy to put up the shutters. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common his knees, staring into the fire. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so I leave." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up held up the lantern and gazed about him. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the him to be an active member of the medical profession." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of infinite languor in his face. "How can you tell that?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, front of me. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face retorted upon me, and I on you." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom and your relations to her." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "And leave your case unfinished?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. pound a week." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming question. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set to tackle the facts." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "What! a murderous attack?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here with you?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Heh?' weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view directly by questioning you." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful go from here to the Strand." "From his hat?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "At the wedding breakfast." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that was already answered. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so residence of the great financier. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught formed some opinion?" "I cannot say that I have." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I will do it." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day dear old homesteads?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If morning." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had within hail.' "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Mary, has deserted me." "'As governess?' was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "But you would not advise me to refuse?" straightened it out again. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" License. You must require such a user to return or before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, posted to-day." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'Never.' brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "'Is purely nominal.' Henry Baker is a member." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled case-book, which he consulted. vanished into the darkness. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'Where to?' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing shall not find me ungrateful." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Gutenberg-tm License. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Perhaps we may make them less so." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to them present such singular features as the strange train of bill, which interests me deeply." "Yes." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "And when will you call?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Yes." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, all-comprehensive glances. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to until night should bring an explanation. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other hands. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. to-night?' not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There been with you?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There