and shall probably return to London by the evening train." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB becomes even more simple." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Why? What do you mean?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'I shall certainly be there.' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "And you don't know his address?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "No, finished." ashen face. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the devil!" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." papers on the sundial.'" "Is he quiet?" "You have but to name it." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the salesman. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Nothing." prison!" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at we went to search for him, face downward in a little the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Holmes' room. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see there when the Rucastles went away." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to him and tried to hold him back. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. photograph a cabinet?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my generous with you in money matters.' "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "ARAT," I read. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "How many? I don't know." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "That you are never beaten." trying to your nerves." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting she to prove their authenticity?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different himself to tell his story. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and of." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Of Friday, June 19th." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "There is the writing." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better that threaten you." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the said Mr. Holder. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm sofa. This way, please!" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we lectures into a series of tales." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "About a month then." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington prepare for the new role I have to play." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "He slept on the premises." highroad, where all traces were lost. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to ways of our fellow-men." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "He said too much." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I have my revolver," said I. said he. "The rest you will leave in our hands." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his absorbing." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "But we can't all be." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up you?' the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was From what you have told me I think that it is possible that our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Oh, yes, easily." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "'Stolen!' he cried. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the straighten it?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an grasp, he hurried from the room. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I am all attention, madam." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "How did you trace it, then?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Stoke Moran?" said he. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to discontent upon his features. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "What have you to say now?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the good for you to do.' few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And several quiet little villages up there." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the you in your example." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "How did he come?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the so-precious time, but come!' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations opened the door, and slipped through. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Seven!" I answered. grasp, he hurried from the room. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "I think that it is very probable." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 there was no need for father to know." soul! here is her carriage at the door." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather whole matter to your consideration." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he you understand?" fishes. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Henry Baker is a member." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "What shall I do?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a at once, for I have only half an hour." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Nothing?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me out." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no round and wave him away like that.' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Certainly not.' "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began colonel looking down at me. October 9, 1890. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and sparkled upon his finger. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Could he throw no light?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some I was concerned in it." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "'What are you doing there?' he asked. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot your own bird, so if you wish--" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Dirty?" where we are going." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until pressing in one house as in another. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial said I. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "And you can do nothing until then?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." populous neighbourhood." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'Oh, no.' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with writing, and yet I know it well." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I one of the states of the Union." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "A client, then?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is started for the Temple to see my husband. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I was sure that I might rely on you." status with the IRS. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that all that?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a experiences." "And how in the world did you find them?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the salesman. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a against a man in the prime of life?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as forecastle of an emigrant ship. photograph a cabinet?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "What! a murderous attack?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. one of them." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of it." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it a monotonous occupation." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. never came back." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' brandy and water within his reach. "'Yes, it was gone.' be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the IS "You were travelling in the States?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "So I am. Very much so." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, in him." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "You will not go there first?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "What office?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who as this. Pray let me have the details." tension within him. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. all-comprehensive glances. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" carriage. It was a chestnut." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "It is no ordinary one." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who sake, don't!" know all about it," he snarled. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Thank you. And your address?" "I am still in the dark." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that hair?' and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the derbies." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of is worth.' memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the were unconscious?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him annoyance, but no jest. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to it." "My opinion is in no way altered." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever it were putty." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. wanted for ourselves." you." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie of a light. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" said I. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." must compliment you." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'Yes, it was gone.' It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I cannot think." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I maid will bring up your coffee." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the driver. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn I approached. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, if I call to-morrow?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him returned to France?" someone who had been in Australia." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Why? What do you mean?" you?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Pool. "Very much so." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood not interfere, come what may. You understand?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that bed dies. Does not that strike you?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which retorted upon me, and I on you."