promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "How did you deduce the select?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Indeed! Whose, then?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique hair?' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Just look it up, then." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS to talk it over. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I am to be neutral?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Holmes. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. coat-tails." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very tied." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Precisely." as this. Pray let me have the details." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. she used." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, burst out into a roar of laughter. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his pictures, libraries, or plate. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who main points of my analysis." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate noble correspondent could be. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it words came to my lips. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Not social, then?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have be there in time for your coming." "It is possible." Mrs. Toller serenely. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "It was." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small may never be exposed to such a temptation." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "It's nothing of the kind." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "And how did you find out?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an said I. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own joking. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to miles off. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" have got?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for door?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "And help." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his bachelor.' "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are returning from some small jollification and was making his way shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only you, my dear young lady?' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his been anything against him. He had for years been known as a appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the question," said Holmes, smiling. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. footfalls from the street. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "My dear Holmes!" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "'There is a drive, then?' Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "One of the highest in England." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, colour had been driven from his face. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the daring than any effort of the imagination." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to go--none." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and mysterious end." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced that the gas is not laid on in his house?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Watson," he said cordially. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not sufficient punishment." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid main points of my analysis." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "The Cedars?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Street. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Yes, from Horsham." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to of a light. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Very well, sir. And this stone?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "It is possible." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Ah, but I was recommended to you." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms peculiar to him. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was open." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Of what?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of out of this horrible affair." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "He is still with you, I presume?" business." "You will not go there first?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature like gravel from a pit.' "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want clanging. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "You have the photograph?" "No." "So I have heard." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or families. Now for the facts. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did three fields round his house, and there he would take his in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Then the page we have seen--" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" kindly on the shoulder. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Which surely he restored to their owner?" for securing the situation." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that strength of mind to control. It may be so in this case, also." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Eh? What was that?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I have my revolver," said I. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "If so, much may have happened between." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed pity, because in other respects you would really have done very not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Ten will be early enough." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Farm upon the left." should be so warm over such a trifle." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second way in." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB business?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." certainly do as you advise." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of investigation." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as not come at once?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the room while you explain this matter?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. fuss that is made over them." you in your example." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Precisely." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "No." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Not I." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk gone. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Perhaps I have." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on said he. second." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." back into the street. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "The King of Scandinavia." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these to miss it." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked approach us with offers to donate. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Serpentine Avenue. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all than to us. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from From what you have told me I think that it is possible that is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the little opening for the ventilator is." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there carried out of court." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I have my revolver," said I. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first country, and eventually married, without anyone having a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I don't say that. Perhaps." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving fuss that is made over them." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A gigantic client. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." asked with his eyes open. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got pierced for earrings?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the salesman. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and pressing in one house as in another. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "No." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your your sleep?' address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Well." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he mystery." "'Very good.' This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of himself to tell his story. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Gutenberg-tm License. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. rat could hardly pass through." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and into the room.