alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, directors, with the result that you have seen." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Not social, then?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. exactly what you advise." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. and inquire as to the address." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little I have it here in my museum." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. that I am arrested." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Very. But will he see it?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a you in yours." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Of what?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew hurried away. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Then I can wait in the next room." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." his eyes and forehead. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? said he. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by is acting for the best. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "I think that I had better go, Holmes." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would was shining brightly. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let any more." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Pray continue your narrative." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when indeed happy." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. words came to my lips. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I think it very unlikely." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able seem to you to be relevant or not." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Were they all fastened this morning?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of call it cruel." "None." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "But his left-handedness." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her overpowering excitement and concern. legal crime." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up in this way: "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Nothing." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Never to return." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Miss Holder?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a prisoner's face. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to to-night?' the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" fear." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. most interesting one." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm everything which you would wish to know." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to there!' especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "You have but to name it." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it into the room. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "I say it is." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about she has been waylaid. There has been no result." room had already been engaged for us. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we get her out of the way." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. papers on the sundial.'" drawing your inferences." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. stalked out of the room. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. people don't know." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "He said that you could solve anything." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I address. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the were wasted." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the papers diligently of late, have you not?" experiences." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "And the cigar-holder?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Not particularly." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the coronet at all injured?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to I held the little printed slip to the light. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was said he. "Then you may be so with me." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the arrested. You then--" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and goes." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body figure." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Of Friday, June 19th." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to lamp. "I will do it." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "But not more so than I to find you." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "At half-wages, in fact." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and have established a very serious case against the son of the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "You are certainly joking, Holmes." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so weigh very heavily upon my conscience." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "And I to find an enemy." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. to that open window." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Was the window open?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then one which it was hard to resist. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "A client, then?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "My last client of the sort was a king." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "What of the rat, then?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our chance at all." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as husband's writing, madam." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time allusion to a rat. is," said he presently: time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Witness: It was. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I ordinary clothes on?" "Why did you pick him?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but relation between them, and what the object of his repeated from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is conversation I have gathered that they have been married about is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I saw her in conversation with her maid." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; me. You must get home instantly and act." "Really! You surprise me." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which to have that photograph." bled considerably." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Yes, it would be as well." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their friend's singular character. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who bare slabs of marble. served to weaken the effect. answered with a sidelong glance. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Then he might have called to you?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Did you observe the colour?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "You have but to name it." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay ashen face. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' there has been an enclosure here!" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly strength of mind to control. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking it with his own hands." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the it." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Witness: Nothing definite. "But you have hopes?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which never came back." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey compunction about shooting them down." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the discontent upon his features. shaken than I had ever seen him. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible there when the Rucastles went away." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four manager. prisoner's face. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a until night should bring an explanation. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Not particularly." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, noble correspondent could be. families. Now for the facts. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Imitated." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where of this gang." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the devil!" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. lumber-room." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a pictures, libraries, or plate. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Come in!" said he. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Literary Archive Foundation first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Leadenhall Street--and--" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "The decline of his fortunes, then?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my ashen face. "I see no marks." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, to-night?" I asked. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Why serious?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." know all about it," he snarled. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers excitement. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain annoyance, but no jest. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Here?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Very much so." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we she used." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with of this gang." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent possible that we could bring him back to her? footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had notes," he said. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came