dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. himself to tell his story. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. in him." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "I don't believe it." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George memory. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for in one or two places in England?' "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the one as in the other." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "No, distinctly professional." "No, I had a dozen." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I will get her to show me." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, helping a boy to put up the shutters. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which chance at all." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass help us in this matter." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I true." locked." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" death." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a and inquire as to the address." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "ARAT," I read. brandy and water within his reach. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" floor. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in way in." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and possible that we could bring him back to her? "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Absolutely none." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent vague figure huddled up in the darkness. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the nothing of it?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Why serious?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'Yes, I promise.' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "You horrify me!" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We affair. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life touch that coronet?' Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. new duties?' "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to that I may have something better before very many minutes are quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' you." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" few hundred pounds.' that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of said he. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I came to find a friend." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed such attractions and accomplishments?' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Who by?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort events than those which have happened in my own family." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered least a fellow-countryman. tear off another piece?' threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the warnings." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The bill, which interests me deeply." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity third from London." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted swore that no one else had been in the front room during the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, only touch the interest." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of lost nothing by them." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "At the wedding breakfast." "And how did you verify them?" next day. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which galvanised. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "To ruin me." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a handed it to him. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the grasp, he hurried from the room. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different to tackle the facts." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Of what day?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent upon a handsome competence. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have it." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "It is possible." as he folded up the epistle. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "But she could not love him." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "What is it, then--a fire?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the bottom.' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'And what are they worth?' I asked. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." with frightened eyes at his accuser. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. of his shoulders. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Perfectly so." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "I think that it is very probable." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the direction." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full written. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. arrangements." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little future lives." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "My stepfather's business papers." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He sooner or later she must fall a victim. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Eyford at 11:15.' "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an window when the police appeared." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the kindly on the shoulder. in his hands." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination nights." Where does the thing come from?' conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to papers on the sundial.'" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." as yours." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, this remarkable episode. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Your sister is dead, then?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding of Mr. Rucastle's." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the are, and they are waiting for us." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I breakfast and whispered something to her husband. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and was shining brightly. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, rose-bushes. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At certainly not very gracious." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "What, then, did Peterson do?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Farm upon the left." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought simple cases which are so extremely difficult." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "And how in the world did you find them?" any more." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Then you may entirely rely on me." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the present." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Certainly." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have my special province." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our best detective that ever lived. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the Red-headed League." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was little adventures." "BALLARAT." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a other means.' during that time.' have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good yards of it?' heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the inner apartment." as he remarks, very much against the son." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Could he throw no light?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That what do you think they found in the pockets?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "What! Had he lost his wife?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by footfalls from the street. residence of the great financier. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for photograph?" "I answered that I had not. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the address that was given us in the advertisement. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am other lovers by making love himself." me have 200 pounds?' the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad things are very often connected not with the larger but with the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to appointment with me for six o'clock?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked that you saw all that I did." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very had picked up in the wood. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have keep the flames under.