Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who power." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" written, and locked the door of the office after me. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "His face fell immediately. I. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was tied." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to miles off. "Have you her photograph?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would speckled band?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned you came in." most interesting one." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our had no one to advise her at such a crisis." and the church but not where the lady lived." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Imitated." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly as yours." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. was shining brightly. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the warnings." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Yes, sir." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the nursery. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Yes." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper face and glided from the room. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "VIOLET HUNTER." over part of the map. "What do you read?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a him. Munro.' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn rat could hardly pass through." an introduction to him?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the advice." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me beg that you will break it off." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the chill to my heart. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Yes, it would be as well." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "And the murderer?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Entirely." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything have had none more fantastic than this." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. room?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town thirty. friends, not even his own brother. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Stoke Moran?" said he. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "You have a clue?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. despair." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, weighed down with some great anxiety. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Not in a good cause." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked meant it for the best. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "But not more so than I to find you." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would a little more before I quite committed myself. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Here?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "But I am all in the dark." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "And the cigar-holder?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Ah!" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Deserted you?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, posted to-day." happened." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the running down." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of article?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Why? What do you mean?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were that I may have something better before very many minutes are Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Ha! you find it so?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity affection." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them residence of the great financier. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Was the window open?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into pierced for earrings?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is get the tickets." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other interests were the same as his." do you make of it all?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Project Gutenberg-tm works. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I and looked back. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a tell them apart.' determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the thin legs towards the fire. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Could he throw no light?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Where, indeed?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Bought." becomes even more simple." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the south-west, I see." one's self under obligations.' threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and conclusions. mystery!" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the them, and came down just as you departed. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to used to be." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I a very grave face. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Project Gutenberg-tm works. case-book, which he consulted. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "How are you getting on?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat go back?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Well, it is a possible supposition." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Certainly." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'Not at all. I only doubt--' yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." out." jewels which you have stolen?' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. you do it in twenty minutes!' sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a because she had spent so short a time in this country that she expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were hour." me." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Then I am your man." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days towards the blaze. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the Red-headed League." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were you for a few hours?" chambers. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking had formerly been in part my own. already referred to. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the devil!" mystery." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Witness: It was. "Was he the only applicant?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Edgeware Road. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "I will, Miss Turner." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have meanly of me." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The said Mr. Holder. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "BALLARAT." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as here and I will read it to you: a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Never." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, or in danger--" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was guilty one." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "I am still in the dark." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to you do it in twenty minutes!' "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "What will you do, then?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Look there!" said he. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my away to you." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. third from London." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a of it with the greatest attention. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it investigation." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a to me. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "None." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the address that was given us in the advertisement. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'Not at all. I only doubt--' necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I am to be neutral?" "Proceed, then." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there late." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Sutherland?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and which we had just quitted. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "'Stolen!' he cried. companion imperturbably. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "What will you do, then?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "No." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Not in a good cause." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you wall." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Witness: It was. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "His face fell immediately. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "But you can know nothing of this?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the kind enough to tell me what I should do." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the is four-and-twenty." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "And for present expenses?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman.