Pope's Court, Fleet Street." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the little opening for the ventilator is." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had fait accompli?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "That's no good." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a what do you think they found in the pockets?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, keep the flames under. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to closely." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled one of the states of the Union." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the national property. I was determined that the law should have its never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "But how?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" been shamefully used." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "My private note-paper." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his comes from the middle window." amused." know all about it," he snarled. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which States. it." instituted." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper as he folded up the epistle. sneer upon his pale face. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only thin legs towards the fire. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'And what salary do you ask?' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "No legal papers or certificates?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father at my remark. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham works. See paragraph 1.E below. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed for its centre. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. prepare for the new role I have to play." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "No." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Mrs. Toller serenely. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Yes, there are nearly always some there." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime with frightened eyes at his accuser. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been you came in." bonnet, and went out." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have face and glided from the room. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, been shamefully used." best detective that ever lived. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "The rest you will leave in our hands." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what lids now and glanced across at his visitor. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of in this note: finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "She told me to ask you." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "This concluded the examination of the witness." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in better grown goose." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he something of him before." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I cannot say that I have." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across himself to tell his story. "'Entirely.' more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." 1.E.9. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Nothing?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left for securing the situation." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his back into the street. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. was lame." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "She will not sell." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news for and were ordered to this address. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own friend's singular character. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I see many objections to any such theory." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who these bleak autumnal evenings." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Was she in good spirits?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak my former friend and companion. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me to a light-house. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "By no means." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Perhaps I have." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what tear off another piece?' which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing see a sister of mine apply for." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "No bad?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of tell him that I know him to be innocent." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will already been minutely examined." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached his eyes and forehead. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. redistribution. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "It was an hour's good drive." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may thirty. Henry Baker is a member." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Nothing." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of may have an influence upon European history." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Certainly." populous neighbourhood." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, man. that there was nothing in it, after all." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "What I expected to see." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of lectures into a series of tales." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by to-night?' extraordinary contortions. was it brought him the coronet? have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' against a man in the prime of life?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "To an English lawyer named Norton." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting remarked. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found you, my dear young lady?' another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," recall any case within my experience which looked at the first It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, for its centre. I shall continue with my miserable story. as he remarks, very much against the son." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed open." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his been able to understand it, in a very few words. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight 11:15.' acted in my house last night?" "What then?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy becomes even more simple." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly she slowly sank and died without having recovered her outsides of the windows. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp here and I will read it to you: transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'Certainly,' I answered. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; bears upon the case?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. papers on the sundial.'" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "It looks newer than the other things?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the matter." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his sofa. This way, please!" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very call the police, let the police find what they can.' at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that never will be, entirely cleared up. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "It is true that I have been generally successful." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden such attractions and accomplishments?' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "That was it, sir." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Where did he live, then?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads thin, with a long, sharp nose?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the spark where all is dark to me." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "It is a murder, then?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" strength in the others." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I I. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "But she could not love him." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of God! What an exposure! What can I do?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate before, for it was considerably after midnight. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Where, then?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "No." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal next day. to-night?" I asked. "But his lameness?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs handed it to him. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "What will you say?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "In which, sir?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." go--none." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the so-precious time, but come!' in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was she to prove their authenticity?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. them?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. this man was intellectual?" "I should wish to." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "But she could not love him." "I see many objections to any such theory." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the bed, and you in that chair." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should which was all perfectly true. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your into the room. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Yes." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, what is your own theory as to what took place?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying second window is the one that I jumped from." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited