India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Certainly, madam." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Dirty?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me such attractions and accomplishments?' from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Why serious?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "How often?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way very old mansion. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very you." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'There is a drive, then?' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely in his power. he bowed and left the room without another word. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first to tackle the facts." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better during that time.' criminal. We have already had experience of such." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while look dissatisfied." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "What I expected to see." that I may have something better before very many minutes are problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong I shall communicate with you." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some crime. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower fashion which was peculiar to him. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Stoke Moran?" said he. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with desk. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know there is a decided draught." "And sit in the dark?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "No, thank goodness, she did not." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences ways of our fellow-men." do you make of it all?" there!' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It have had none more fantastic than this." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Certainly." any." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes my special province." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a tell me that you intended to go into harness." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever girl said." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much where we are going." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I am armed." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: against a man in the prime of life?" constraint." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes tension within him. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove an introduction to him?" "I am armed." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most up this clue while it is still hot." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a whole matter to your consideration." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was of receipt of the work. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, be.' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' where she found matters as described by the last witness. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the house with me." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in you?' "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her as he remarks, very much against the son." only touch the interest." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," fishes. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat and laid it on the table. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and opened a pocket-book and took out a note. than to us. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "BALLARAT." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Yes, sir." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Frequently." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Then you may entirely rely on me." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Pool. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making get the tickets." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "On the contrary, this is the right side." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "You have it, sir, just as it happened." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and a few minutes he said that it would be all right. sufficient punishment." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB this as likely?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" standing smiling on the door-step. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner detective. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "It missed him, then?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Pray do so." said he. your billet.' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'Very good.' in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with My friend smiled. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "It surprised me." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" photograph?" this poor creature." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Stoke Moran?" said he. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat and your relations to her." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew door?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Quite so." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your ceremony." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Was the window open?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Then you may entirely rely on me." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I written. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is she to prove their authenticity?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Yes." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would back into the street. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Yes." "I cannot as yet see any connection." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "What then?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "It may not come to that," said Holmes. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "It is possible." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My existence." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the loss of it. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Why, what do you mean?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an will take you up to see the machine.' tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." few hundred pounds.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which was a loud and authoritative tap. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with McCarthy's innocence. me where it went to?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he introspective fashion. "Her father is very rich?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George I am not easy in my mind about them." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the system of imprisonment?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door photograph?" side. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "What shall I do?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." of the one which your family is now devouring." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead acquaintance?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, through." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "But who is he?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "But he might be a bachelor." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us astonishment. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" very morning of my second wedding." into the bag, and made for the door. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works during the last few years, and there are many noble families to crime. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from allusion to a rat. Henry Baker is a member." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual to-morrow." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a his wife has ceased to love him." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so