present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have hair?' "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "No." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, to-night's adventure." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "I will get her to show me." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but been shamefully used." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence generous with you in money matters.' call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I would give my fortune to have them back." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of room. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet is acting for the best. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a man. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong strong reason behind." fishes. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with of them has the shutters up.' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," better grown goose." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the matter?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than observed. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague and that he would see to anything that turned up. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you entirely devoid of interest." returning from some small jollification and was making his way Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Who by?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Holmes' thin, eager face. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "My opinion is in no way altered." the so-precious time, but come!' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "My Mary? Impossible!" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or other, as fresh and trim as possible. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Nothing." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own father's place of business?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So instituted." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and go--none." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set disturbance in my wife." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the shaken than I had ever seen him. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email empty. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an I have it here in my museum." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Ten will be early enough." individual and becomes the badge of a society." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who a suggestive one." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Where did he live, then?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Yes." This is what he says: ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, absorbing." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right recover the gem." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "But it has twice been burgled." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "No, finished." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "No." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" manager. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "But of what society?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Was she in good spirits?" me." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out during which he might have communicated with his friend the "The King of Scandinavia." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get it." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in forebodings. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. rose-bushes. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt here and I will read it to you: in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric so.' equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "By all means." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near have established a very serious case against the son of the strength in the others." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "I see many objections to any such theory." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the dangers which encompass me." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the loss of it. them, and came down just as you departed. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I am in hopes that she does." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "One?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the one which it was hard to resist. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his read over the extraordinary announcement. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the some terrible trap for her." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before License. You must require such a user to return or chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I John Swain, of St. Augustine. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of clanging. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite an introduction to him?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I The events in question occurred in the early days of my not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from events than those which have happened in my own family." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story me, and I could not think that his explanation of the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was key turn in the lock." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "She walked into the breakfast-room." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of sound at heart." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning guilty one." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "You think so, too?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting other lovers by making love himself." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' triumphant cloud from his cigarette. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his any." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I evidence," I remarked. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to should be so warm over such a trifle." "Where, indeed?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Holmes' room. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but o'clock is it?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William you." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt hopeless attempt at recovering them." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to lost nothing by them." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does seem to you to be relevant or not." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more congratulate you again." "I cannot think." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Not him." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any said I. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the night.' he. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "How did that help you?" "That is it on the dressing-table." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Nothing?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing lost his Christmas dinner." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. unkempt, staring out at me. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the appeal." of the vacancies.' "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'And the work?' "I cannot tell." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "But your client--" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." vault. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start will take you up to see the machine.' article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'Which dealer's?' indiscretion." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will long narrative. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I easy-going way." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too plantation.' where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Where did you address your letters, then?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "But you can know nothing of this?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls excitement. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "She walked into the breakfast-room." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time means taking possession of that which another person has a prior get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in me, and I could not think that his explanation of the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "To the police?" correct than the official force." "It surprised me." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil nonsense.' hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to examination of the premises, but without finding anything which strength of mind to control. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "He might." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "What can it mean?" I gasped. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "I am to be neutral?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which