A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "What!" he roared. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk delighted to hear it," he said. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong of a light. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. future lives." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I three of the beryls in it, was missing. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was to tell." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been door?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Then I shall certainly come." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which said I. photograph?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and few hundred pounds.' "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim later, upon the night of May 2nd." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my one else, I think." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my even so self-evident a thing as that." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Certainly, madam." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'Yes, I promise.' said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. mysterious business." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little know that the truth is known." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, several quiet little villages up there." "Yes." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior writers could invent nothing more crude." "9th. McCauley cleared. "And why?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "And how?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "I cannot as yet see any connection." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For client, rising. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "None." friend's singular character. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Street. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at out." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Eh? What was that?" bearing upon the case." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his notes," he said. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital His smile broadened. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily he. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to States. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I words came to my lips. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Was she in good spirits?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "But how did you gain them?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent my former friend and companion. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we I have it here in my museum." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, overpowering excitement and concern. read over the extraordinary announcement. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." went to the Alpha were town bred." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Never." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." forebodings. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "It goes to the housekeeper's room." to miss it." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us was not a bird to be seen there. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'I am sure if I had known--' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have father's place of business?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "You have the photograph?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned hopeless attempt at recovering them." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "But he might be a bachelor." "Ah!" sufficient punishment." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," she has been waylaid. There has been no result." My friend smiled. have been better. It is all right." chemical work which was so dear to him. his face. them, and came down just as you departed. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in helping a boy to put up the shutters. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Nothing." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of his cane at the bell-pull. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "And who is her maid?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a child?' "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "How many? I don't know." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the very morning of the wedding." beg that you will break it off." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Yes." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. forebodings. "Texas, I think." asked with his eyes open. "Eh? What was that?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you were new raised from a basin. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the ran thus: though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out are, I think, all that we need." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a bare slabs of marble. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter until night should bring an explanation. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Why did you beat the pavement?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have were unconscious?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "In what way?" asked Holmes. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, way in." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' situation." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in away into the river." companion imperturbably. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was woman who has had her own way to make in the world. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that awkward doing business with an alias." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an this poor creature." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Then I am your man." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Oh, fresh and glossy." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "'There is a drive, then?' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I see no marks." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "But how?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Was your sister dressed?" "Has he come with you to-night?" dead, shall be safe with us." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed to-night?" I asked. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Where is it, then?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some you?' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise hour?' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of foot. never will be, entirely cleared up. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found side. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Was there a secret marriage?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See which are rolled in Rotterdam." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a letters?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Have you it here?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. system of imprisonment?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened careless servant girl?" "Yes, it would be as well." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual spare." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself orange pips. certainly do as you advise." ourselves in the office." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time this remarkable episode. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few had a long day." and your relations to her." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Cross for the Continent." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you since then to throw any light upon what became of him." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the devil!" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a criminal. We have already had experience of such." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "And how in the world did you find them?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "My dear Holmes!" the Red-headed League." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia to miss it." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and me what he had done with the three missing stones. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "There is the writing." "When did she vanish, then?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not murdered man." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then bonnet, and went out." "In heaven's name, what for?" "'Ten to two.' "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. ventilator." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than rat could hardly pass through." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 knowledge of the world." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." him and tried to hold him back. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "It is very clear." "It is very kind of you." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "It was." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Who by?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban copied or distributed: impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my 1.F. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up had died away into the silence from which it rose. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "And for present expenses?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I you in your example." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Two days later this same performance was gone through under even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive even so self-evident a thing as that." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself