Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call that there was nothing in it, after all." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "We have tried and failed." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "You know me, then?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life him nearly every evening." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of photograph?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it went to the Alpha were town bred." if only as a check to my own memory." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I see no marks." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." You want to know what became of those geese?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "What is it?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest woven round him. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the station." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me status with the IRS. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who wedding?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the fattened it expressly for you.' surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "But it has twice been burgled." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the less than 26s. 4d. this Miss Turner." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "You have it, sir, just as it happened." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Look there!" said he. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this meanly of me." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such ready to-morrow?' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Surrey." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't definite end. you." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he away in different directions, and I went off to make my own sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the date of his supposed suicide." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and reach." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and the whole place is in a blaze." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." if only as a check to my own memory." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "It was a confession," I ejaculated. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent in this note: but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "What steps will you take?" I asked. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me test if we have an answer to our advertisement." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend criminal. We have already had experience of such." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'About the same.' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be at my remark. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora might have a private word with us. very morning of my second wedding." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he is four-and-twenty." "'Yes, I promise.' of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Eyford at 11:15.' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that as he remarks, very much against the son." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased business at Coburg Square is serious." Holmes' room. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with hour?' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from DISSOLVED. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the ceiling. Street. "How often?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "And your mother is alive?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute have accepted such a situation. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in since then to throw any light upon what became of him." one's self under obligations.' best detective that ever lived. "A confidential servant?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." horse could go." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as matter." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Where does the thing come from?' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a there in twenty minutes." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "But your client--" standing smiling on the door-step. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Never to return." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" wedding?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. wedding?" through." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied nonsense.' charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So beg that you will break it off." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned I approached. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "But we can't all be." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in weigh very heavily upon my conscience." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the your equipment. me. You must get home instantly and act." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "But who is he?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down was lame." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and envelope. "You saw the ventilator, too?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a wife's character?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in think, you have already met." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained cigars in their mouths. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "He is still with you, I presume?" Does that suggest anything?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings use an arc-and-compass breastpin." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the morning and make my own way in the world.' wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. over with notes and figures. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. salesman. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one asked with his eyes open. with you alone." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present wedding?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria sit on the left-hand side of the driver." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel during which he might have communicated with his friend the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Won't it ring?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness gone. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "'Is purely nominal.' was a perfect sample of the class. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. easy-going way." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was him and tried to hold him back. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him 1.F. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy out." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Entirely." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight his wife has ceased to love him." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it it were putty." a very grave face. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Do you know him?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'What do you call purely nominal?' her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock him!" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the inquest, and which are worth considering." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he one of the states of the Union." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "You'll never persuade me to believe that." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the said he. it. followed. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' through." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for too. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a take the flies, but not before." there when the Rucastles went away." yards of it?' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us door?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I to-night?" I asked. on in his house." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." III. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "In the cells." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the photograph a cabinet?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we business?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "You think that he is dead?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "And I say east," said my patient. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "No." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father photograph?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to knowledge of the world." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are invisible to me," I remarked. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove least a fellow-countryman. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one straighten it?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "What of the rat, then?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "I don't say that. Perhaps." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my ways of our fellow-men." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle have not had my rubber." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Then I am your man." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." opened the door, and slipped through. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the leave you to your papers for a little." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish strength." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we goes." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a