overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." drawing your inferences." away into the river." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful heavily into it. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "What! You do not mean bodies?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right call you and give you the chance." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of and have this put in the evening papers." showing my impatience. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Here?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the quick march!" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "And why?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. lumber-room." pound a week." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your was it brought him the coronet? found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'Yes.' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. stalked out of the room. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Certainly." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon pound a week." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some that the gas is not laid on in his house?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Only as much as we can deduce." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "By train from Waterloo." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is do you make of it all?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was What do you deduce from it?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' round and wave him away like that.' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the Assizes." heavy and sharp instrument." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the stones. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we photograph a cabinet?" been." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue them?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" to some other building. minor matters until to-morrow." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a a suggestive one." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Did your wife hear all this?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'Ample.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the room while you explain this matter?" house for five minutes.' hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'And what salary do you ask?' that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind it." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to McCarthy." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "What office?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from into the room. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." done what I asked you, Jones?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" States. "But we can't all be." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the unclasping of his long thin hands. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and over with notes and figures. walking." the bed, and you in that chair." "He slept on the premises." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "But who is he?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the dangers which encompass me." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here go back?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks served to weaken the effect. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be in the dead of the night?' until night should bring an explanation. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. fled together." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client up this clue while it is still hot." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Perhaps I have." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I taking in every detail of the apartment. had this final quarrel? "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Not him." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It was lame." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "You have it, sir, just as it happened." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "It is possible." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what kindly on the shoulder. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Yes, that is the Crown." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "The decline of his fortunes, then?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that had this final quarrel? tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The to have been novel and of interest." grasp, he hurried from the room. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to this as likely?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'It is locked up,' I answered. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came how narrow had been my escape. lamp. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." in. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "'Certainly,' I answered. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Eyford at 11:15.' Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are observed. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair redistribution. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to that the gas is not laid on in his house?" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on we went to search for him, face downward in a little Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Can I be of assistance?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we arms and began to sob in a high treble key. galvanised. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit or other trace. But how on earth--" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking might have a private word with us. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "'Is 4 pounds a week.' closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have could gather together that I was able to avert another public DISSOLVED. shoulder. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Not in a good cause." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the running down." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Yes." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'A dozen yards or so.' door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open without a word or a look. business matters.' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you business came to an end." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to very morning of my second wedding." written. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too never to learn it at all." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of you came in." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "And what did you learn from him?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as The events in question occurred in the early days of my too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "You have a clue?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short was used.' He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Pope's Court, Fleet Street." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" one which it was hard to resist. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "An accident, I presume?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "No more words. Get out!" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to shaken than I had ever seen him. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a existence." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "ARAT," I read. dead, shall be safe with us." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "But you can know nothing of this?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and for securing the situation." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another remarked. "'Quite sure, dad.' and no precautions can guard against." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all man. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the it with his own hands." was shining brightly. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I am armed." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the little opening for the ventilator is." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard back alive. tail." might help us?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were I have it here in my museum." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Stolen." in the port of London." "What can it mean?" I gasped. rooms." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose then?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while lumber-room." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my one which it was hard to resist. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is