opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "But it has twice been burgled." voice, changing her seat as requested. "How are you getting on?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted power." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to his chemical studies. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for dates and names. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the occurred." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" papers." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in to have been novel and of interest." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the jewels which you have stolen?' every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Nearly eleven." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "You have a clue?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to whether it answered to the description of any of their black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "He is still with you, I presume?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to meant it for the best. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" my friend's incisive reasoning. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at assist you in forming an opinion." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks and looked back. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help examine." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a south, for the country is more deserted there." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "I came to find a friend." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." maid will bring up your coffee." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in indeed which he could not unravel. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps out of this horrible affair." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it you for a few hours?" on re-entering her father's house?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime III. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Never." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes occurred." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "And how did you find out?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "By train from Waterloo." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, in darkness. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to charge against him will break down." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, would then never go into court at all." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps pictures, libraries, or plate. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "My dear Holmes!" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, figure." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have chair. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of what I may call a really hard day's work." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "You heard nothing yourself last night?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "No, but the enclosure is." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, II. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was reach." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying noble correspondent could be. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I yards of it?' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said bedroom door." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out charge against him will break down." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "To the police?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Absolutely none." thought that she would have been so carried away." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the thought that she would have been so carried away." "Was the window open?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced relief. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! individual and becomes the badge of a society." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as begun to whiten, even as mine has." for and were ordered to this address. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the coronet in his hand?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. results." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the copied or distributed: upon the sideboard." business came to an end." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Not in a good cause." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." business at Coburg Square is serious." works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, minor matters until to-morrow." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "You will not go there first?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. that there was nothing in it, after all." hour?' swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Could he throw no light?" gigantic client. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "And did you observe any change in her then?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place ways including including checks, online payments and credit card our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the meant." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "By no means." me what he had done with the three missing stones. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back photograph?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this golden eyeglasses. your billet.' process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with you." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I will not look." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward eavesdroppers?' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an more solid." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle been with you?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get past. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot vanished into the darkness. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a that, and I came down." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A begun to whiten, even as mine has." call it cruel." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Imitated." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Of Friday, June 19th." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most it with his own hands." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting entirely devoid of interest." at home. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "He disappeared so suddenly." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His of the way of danger. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "My dear Holmes!" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. were wasted." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Well?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "By all means." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "So I heard. You have him here?" like that before?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head States. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" amused." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "You will not go there first?" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another remarked. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if 11:15.' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more words came to my lips. learned something! Where are the gems?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. married her." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year carried out of court." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled companion quietly. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Holmes. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view opened a pocket-book and took out a note. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'There is a drive, then?' "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some these bleak autumnal evenings." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the coronet at all injured?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may you." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind.