"I fear not." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I as he folded up the epistle. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Not in the least." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "To the police?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser 'please.'" back to my heart. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "To the police?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate ashen face. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "But how?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "No, distinctly professional." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "How often?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as careless servant girl?" views." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "He is dead," cried several voices. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think chemical work which was so dear to him. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself call you and give you the chance." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are seem to you to be relevant or not." security.' bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" upon the shelf for the interim." thought that she would have been so carried away." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed you." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' once more to my work. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day true." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler money should be paid at once.' should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "'What, the red-headed man?' say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of appeal." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Was he the only applicant?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in his eyes and forehead. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair bare slabs of marble. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the weary and pale-looking. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all During two years I have had three consultations and one small Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his and no precautions can guard against." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the morning and make my own way in the world.' "There are none." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Was there a secret marriage?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on more solid." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between all-comprehensive glances. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary a suggestive one." his face. help us in this matter." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not prison!" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "That is easily got." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his tell me that you intended to go into harness." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is shag which I had seen upon the previous night. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring things are very often connected not with the larger but with the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her fat-encircled eyes. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "He might." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Pray continue your narrative." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "It is possible." "I would pay ten." bachelor.' was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as guilty one." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "'I am sure if I had known--' you understand?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "No. What a strange idea!" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "How did that help you?" "And now?" He raised his hand. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you present strange and interesting features that it is no easy found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the general public were present, then?" "I say it is." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, at once, for I have only half an hour." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "But his lameness?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the have accepted such a situation. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads throat." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to fire. You quite follow me?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking late!' "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "How did you deduce the select?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Then the page we have seen--" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Pool. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "No, my brougham is waiting." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "It is very clear." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of face and glided from the room. think you a quite exceptional woman." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, answer." "How often?" "Yes?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" even so self-evident a thing as that." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "When did she vanish, then?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still rooms." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" is four-and-twenty." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may I think that I could be of assistance to you." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the too. narrative." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." tear off another piece?' a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I assure you that I am in your hands." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do matters immensely." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "And you thought he was pulled back?" "No." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I confronted him. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "It must be recovered." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham remarked. "So I am. Very much so." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "How did you trace it, then?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Well, some hundreds of times." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "In heaven's name, what for?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. drawing your inferences." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our point our research must commence, and we will begin it by other, as fresh and trim as possible. straightened it out again. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. yet." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "No good news?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied room had already been engaged for us. "Your sister is dead, then?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'Yes, it was gone.' I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them of Fenchurch Street." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "No, I think that I'll take it." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Did your wife hear all this?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you pound a week." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Perhaps we may make them less so." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I will do it." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the way in." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are country, and eventually married, without anyone having a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known ourselves in the office." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my was the fact that his father should, according to his account, bill, which interests me deeply." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "His face fell immediately. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at married her." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "About a month then." "Where, indeed?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "But what is it you wish?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "At the wedding breakfast." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church girl said." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a awkward doing business with an alias." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in suspect him." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a both be extremely obliged.' and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch or in danger--" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "What I expected to see." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of be there in time for your coming." "I promise," said Holmes. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he stalked out of the room. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "VIOLET HUNTER." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there perplexity from it to my illustrious client. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom think that he is innocent?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the station." "The King of Scandinavia." in this way: down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Why did you pick him?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since ourselves in the office." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little desk. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to certainly not very gracious." "My dear Holmes!" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?"