a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town with her." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. whatever might befall. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed unprofitable." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and than to us. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the that you wished to speak to me?' enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has bird of prey. several quiet little villages up there." "'Most admirably.' arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "And I to find an enemy." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "When did it break out?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "But the mystery?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, existence." delighted to hear it," he said. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "No sign of it?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "My Mary? Impossible!" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Mrs. Toller serenely. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the time." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my society." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off during the last few years, and there are many noble families to But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "No, distinctly professional." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a and that he would see to anything that turned up. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so it were putty." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The so.' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I have my revolver," said I. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Yes, certainly." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Did you observe the colour?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have derbies." "She will not sell." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all should be taken.' in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I never have." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with whatever might befall. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Eyford." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Was your sister dressed?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you walking." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait off." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few as yours." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep house for five minutes.' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and house for five minutes.' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, deduce something from that?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "How do you know, then?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "You'll never persuade me to believe that." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "What will you do, then?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. standing smiling on the door-step. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my new duties?' had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had in. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get with frightened eyes at his accuser. with you alone." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Certainly." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey me upon any point which I do not make clear." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could his eyes and forehead. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for my secret was safe in his possession. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the general public were present, then?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which him to be an active member of the medical profession." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "You forget that I know nothing about it." "What I expected to see." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its be there in time for your coming." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed said he. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his was already answered. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who himself to tell his story. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never from the brougham. must compliment you." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is because she had spent so short a time in this country that she well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had But Holmes shook his head gravely. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the emerged. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the Friday. Was it to be in church?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in was a lad." and put his glass in his pocket. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Where, then, is my wife?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in to change my dress. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped whether it answered to the description of any of their dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been to tell." for its centre. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "But I am all in the dark." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been there were one or two details which were new to me. But the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with through." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Chief Executive and Director hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just door?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." me. You must get home instantly and act." this Miss Turner." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the side-table." forehead. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, humiliation." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, said I. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out ourselves in the office." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself unkempt, staring out at me. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen vanished into the darkness. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "'Tell me all about it,' said I. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "In the cells." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Mary, has deserted me." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the date of his supposed suicide." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, future lives." hardly wander." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should begin with, and I had not got mine yet." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." fatally injured? Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' lost nothing by them." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge him nearly every evening." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing words came to my lips. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "That was it, sir." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very spark where all is dark to me." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his cause to be." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced for and were ordered to this address. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Yes." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "What do you make of that, Watson?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." It may be so in this case, also." "It is very clear." affection." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "The rest you will leave in our hands." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "What, then, did Peterson do?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Yes." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Holmes' face clouded over. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up anything to do with the matter?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt bears upon the case?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the forbidden door. "Get out!" said he. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a night.' said he. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of to-night?' "'Entirely.' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a DISSOLVED. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the bed, and you in that chair." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I saw her in conversation with her maid." again on its way. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental to-night." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten points to suicide?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until straightened it out again. to-night?" I asked. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for annoyance, but no jest. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I came to find a friend." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander indeed which he could not unravel. for its centre. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night have had none more fantastic than this." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where this unhappy family?" What do you deduce from it?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged would then never go into court at all." reach." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and spare." problems help me to do so." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., asked. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The