so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and wanted for ourselves." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I bachelor.' will be renamed. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. approach us with offers to donate. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "But you have hopes?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, him to go away.' "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "That also I could fathom." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. gives a meaning to it." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "And when will you call?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'In my own bureau.' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and looked back. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no be.' with you alone." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of lamp in his hand. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "And what did you see?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a your bag." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the little opening for the ventilator is." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "What then?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, that I can to serve you." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Pray do so." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest putting in the horse. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the would apply.' bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. business?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'Then let me do so?' frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, fait accompli?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us unkempt, staring out at me. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Why did you pick him?" there." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "But who is he?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag as this. Pray let me have the details." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and whole matter to your consideration." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the to a light-house. "When did she vanish, then?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. trifles." writing, and yet I know it well." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her closing the door. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Where did he live, then?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'About the same.' thin legs towards the fire. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I look upon these things in a different way." think that any burglar could have done. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "I will get her to show me." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always room. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "It came here." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There system of imprisonment?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "And how have you succeeded?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and interests were the same as his." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two delirious. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Nearly eleven." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora yards of it?' "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "From his hat?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I should like to see him very much." she to prove their authenticity?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of do.' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "From his hat?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. pierced for earrings?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on he died? brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day What do you deduce from it?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman are, and they are waiting for us." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous that you wished to speak to me?' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "No sign of it?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. felt the room to be a little close.' "I cannot tell." ready to-morrow?' which we had just quitted. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' hard-headed British jury." outside. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; had picked up in the wood. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." even so self-evident a thing as that." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in you give your casting vote to?" bird I ate is country bred." "But your client--" "If so, much may have happened between." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Then you may be so with me." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "No, I had a dozen." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, what is your own theory as to what took place?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' you?" said I. "Frequently." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. case-book, which he consulted. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Where, then, is my wife?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our wedding?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "It must be recovered." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your bled considerably." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "You have carte blanche." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual new acquaintance to Baker Street. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either your co-operation." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, was lame." "No, distinctly professional." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "And you don't know his address?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I frequently gained my first real insight into the character of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and capable of preserving a secret.' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the we went to search for him, face downward in a little "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should go from here to the Strand." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Oh, fresh and glossy." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "No bad?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Nothing?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by on re-entering her father's house?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better very old mansion. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Pray let us have it, for all that." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Murdered?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For carried out of court." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential were wasted." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress it." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "It is half-past ten now." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should appeared upon the scene." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this during that time.' "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I may have an influence upon European history." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient returning from some small jollification and was making his way IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Of what day?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "No, finished." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes window when the police appeared." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "'Ample.' murdered man." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' already referred to. little adventures." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after photograph a cabinet?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. once more to my work. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of power." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman to change my dress. goes." few hundred pounds.' came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" death." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "How many? I don't know." Lee, in the county of Kent." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "It is his hat." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's served to weaken the effect. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg this remarkable episode. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking returning from some small jollification and was making his way Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the seven miles from Eyford Station.' might have a private word with us. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where think that any burglar could have done. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "And I say east," said my patient. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "'In my own bureau.' other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest of Fenchurch Street." "I fear not." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Then I can wait in the next room." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "My photograph." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you south, for the country is more deserted there." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the see me here to avoid scandal." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a should be so warm over such a trifle." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge attention." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "I cannot imagine." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" coroner's jury." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident investigation." present." "And now?" He raised his hand. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It into the bag, and made for the door. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "And who is her maid?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting stood on the top of it. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your awaited us upon the table. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "So I heard. You have him here?" meanly of me." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I know where it is."