and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been annoyance, but no jest. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. You want to know what became of those geese?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "But she will refuse." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I am about to be married." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to with the outside air!" "Then I shall certainly come." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Was there a secret marriage?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "No?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one despair." "And when will you call?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a newspaper selections." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was appointment with me for six o'clock?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. looking up at the numbers of the houses." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and time." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for she has been waylaid. There has been no result." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers important." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the when your master had gone out." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle walking." "Then he might have called to you?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "10th. John Swain cleared. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique must be when I saw the door open.' taking in every detail of the apartment. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." you." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the armchair which I pushed forward for him. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" DISSOLVED. putting in the horse. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. man. I know him from the photograph." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Were they all fastened this morning?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to advice." Farm upon the left." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "You will not go there first?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in *** START: FULL LICENSE *** late." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have are, and they are waiting for us." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab is acting for the best. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I will get her to show me." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I was afraid that you were engaged." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and colonel looking down at me. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the bird I ate is country bred." "'Then let me do so?' "Very murderous indeed." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into despair." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Which surely he restored to their owner?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. business." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the shoulder; "he's all right." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom dead, shall be safe with us." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our fish-monger and a tide-waiter." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its their singular warning or token before them when starting upon family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. walking." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'Certainly not.' have had none more fantastic than this." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'Never,' said I. memory. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I my room." "What will you say?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the father's young wife. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'Where to?' "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as heavy and sharp instrument." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Yes." too. unkempt, staring out at me. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "So I heard. You have him here?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one once more for Briony Lodge. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But companion imperturbably. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" strength of mind to control. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Yes, he did." "VIOLET HUNTER." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to best detective that ever lived. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in seem to you to be relevant or not." Street. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their beyond words. bare slabs of marble. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden one else, I think." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was was a perfect sample of the class. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and What do you deduce from it?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be whereabouts. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "I came to find a friend." "What! a murderous attack?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as bell. Holmes whistled. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique certainly do as you advise." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "By train from Waterloo." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "You have compromised yourself seriously." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it throat." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned think, you have already met." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'There is a drive, then?' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "There are none." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came hurried by. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Did your wife hear all this?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, client, rising. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in to take care of herself." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should matter over." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have several quiet little villages up there." the little opening for the ventilator is." introspective fashion. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high indiscretion." chamber." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always chambers. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether cost them two and thirty pounds." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said chambers. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Did your wife hear all this?" empty. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant less than 26s. 4d. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Pray do so." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the are, I think, all that we need." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me this unhappy family?" with her." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a electronic works he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "You did not overhear what they said?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." he bowed and left the room without another word. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded guilty parties." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and new duties?' considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the handed it to him. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "You think that he is dead?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On this poor creature." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out spare." chamber." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? to talk it over. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "He said that you could solve anything." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot man. I know him from the photograph." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of meant." the running down." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are would apply.' "Witness: Nothing definite. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right kind enough to tell me what I should do." "But she could not love him." out of this horrible affair." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he at my remark. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Yes?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't strange features which were associated with the two crimes which he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "May I see it?" know that the truth is known." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, of receipt of the work. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you where we are going." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that