with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. as the one I chose?' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "That's no good." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been one else, I think." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "I will get her to show me." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I that threaten you." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "How did you deduce the select?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." his face. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "How about poison?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's my secret was safe in his possession. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Why, what do you mean?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "A greater distance to travel." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on used to be." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "No." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant to you." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then any." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him heavy and sharp instrument." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I will do it." "Yes, it was twisted." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I in the port of London." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would in his hands." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. views." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "What! Had he lost his wife?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss ago." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by for the market.' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting delirious. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, bill, which interests me deeply." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and a room. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham tension within him. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll meant it for the best. "What! You do not mean bodies?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting in the port of London." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the I. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "But you can know nothing of this?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could indeed happy." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'Where to?' headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish money should be paid at once.' doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate http://www.gutenberg.net "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the I nodded again. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I cannot imagine." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I of a light. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Doctor, of the paper and the date." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know to where he stood hid behind the curtain. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the Friday. Was it to be in church?" his knees, staring into the fire. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "That is also quite modern," said the lady. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your helping a boy to put up the shutters. skylight. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss experiences." stalked out of the room. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether purpose equally well?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few these bleak autumnal evenings." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been crime." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Ten will be early enough." such attractions and accomplishments?' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "No, but the enclosure is." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official my little problems." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the enough to aid us in our search." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Tired-looking or fresh?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss might have a private word with us. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between closely." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Married! When?" "But what will you do?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was said I. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, discontent upon his features. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "You know me, then?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, closing the door. note?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating once more. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have business." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" true." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, said he. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire national property. I was determined that the law should have its chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." charged with?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate in the hope of finding them." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "No." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your in the dead of the night?' have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of vague figure huddled up in the darkness. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the 1.E.9. face and glided from the room. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously said I. "Then I do not see the point." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It such person." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern congenial hunt. conduct the inquiry." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "To ruin me." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, astonishment. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Does that suggest anything?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at him. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "What then?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my three of the beryls in it, was missing. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Imitated." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass quickly through a disagreeable task. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white remarked. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am prisoner's face. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "By train from Waterloo." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'Certainly not. But why?' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean look upon these things in a different way." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Munro.' receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to overpowering excitement and concern. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. here and I will read it to you: "Certainly, madam." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the washing it down with a long draught of water. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little nonsense.' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'Where to?' should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length next day. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy about. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared skylight. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a never will be, entirely cleared up. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I way in everything. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "'Never,' said I. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in there in twenty minutes." "Well, it is a possible supposition." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between she used." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "I am following you closely," I answered. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Arthur Conan Doyle the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." signal between you and your father? clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Where to?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for ran thus: "No, distinctly professional." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then fasten all the windows?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Yes." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Have you it here?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: