flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery make me his representative both with the servants and with the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost highly," said Holmes. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. some terrible trap for her." ashen face. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "When did she vanish, then?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently and wait." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "You are certainly joking, Holmes." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we such person." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper them?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that colour had been driven from his face. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "And how did you find out?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a green of the new foliage. views." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main for its centre. the devil!" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the there in twenty minutes." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. DISSOLVED. "And now?" I asked. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two fluttered off among the others. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the Red-headed League." were wasted." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' present." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "You know me, then?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now do.' "'Yes, I promise.' "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the side-table." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the are, and they are waiting for us." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the became a certainty. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my astonishment. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the warnings." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press might have a private word with us. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." rat could hardly pass through." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, as yours." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Have you good authority for what you say?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could formed some opinion?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Your French gold?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom waste of energy." himself. distinguish the words: Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. business came to an end." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, before, for it was considerably after midnight. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest so.' himself. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Of Friday, June 19th." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a and inquire as to the address." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Then you may entirely rely on me." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds have got?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Was there a secret marriage?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. important." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance with you?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." bird I ate is country bred." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the furiously. "'And the work?' "What steps will you take?" I asked. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem question. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his over part of the map. "What do you read?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; until night should bring an explanation. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Has he come with you to-night?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "But not more so than I to find you." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "And why?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a results." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Where is it, then?" nothing with him." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Of Friday, June 19th." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which even of instruction." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Oh, the cause is excellent!" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, spare." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "That you are never beaten." eavesdroppers?' "Of Friday, June 19th." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master and wait." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Here?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "But it has twice been burgled." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "There are none." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Yes, that is the Crown." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should was lame." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is in the dead of the night?' I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its second window is the one that I jumped from." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few him and tried to hold him back. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "We must have a cab." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "VIOLET HUNTER." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was had a long day." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the nothing with him." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "What shall I do?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "You will not go there first?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Two days later this same performance was gone through under evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Tired-looking or fresh?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies in darkness. had this final quarrel? your sleep?' sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "You did not overhear what they said?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It not personally threatened." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than carried out of court." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual do.' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "In heaven's name, what for?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very distinguish the words: Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Seven!" I answered. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "We must sit without light. He would see it through the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong to-night's adventure." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the me where it went to?" "I am to be neutral?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of very peculiar words of the dying woman?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small charge against him will break down." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, stepfather?" fled together." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his power." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend late." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously where she found matters as described by the last witness. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a outside." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and some city in a dream. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who populous neighbourhood." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry interests were the same as his." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be to Leatherhead.